CEBL SUMMER SERIES – SASKATCHEWAN STAYS WINNING WHILE FRASER VALLEY TURNS A CORNER
@DonaldHigney
Niagara River Lions vs. Saskatchewan Rattlers
The defending champion Saskatchewan Rattlers picked up where they left off, beating the Niagara River Lions 96-79 in Sunday’s first game.
The first quarter was tightly contested, but it was Saskatchewan’s Negus Webster-Chan who stole the show. He had nine of his 20 points in the first quarter and 14 in the first half. The majority of his scoring came from the three-point line, hitting four of them in the first half.
Helping out Webster-Chan for the Rattlers in the first quarter was Rashawn Browne, a guard from the University of Manitoba with seven points.
Browne would finish with 12 points, three rebounds and three assists in his first professional game. He also played at New Mexico State with current Raptors All-Star Pascal Siakam.
For Niagara, they kept it more balanced. Seven different players scored for the River Lions in the first quarter.
But as soon as the second quarter started, the Rattlers started to pull away. Kevin Bracy-Davis and Kemy Osse hit back to back threes to give them a six point advantage.
The River Lions would bring it to two points multiple times in the quarter, but Saskatchewan would go on a 9-0 run to close out the half at 50-39.
The Rattlers would continue to extend the lead in the second half. Niagara would make it competitive during the Elam ending but couldn’t find a way to make a real break through.
Player of the game was given to Kemy Osse for his 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals performance. Saskatchewan gets their first win, while Niagara sits at 1-1.
Both teams will play on Tuesday. Niagara will face Guelph in the first matchup at 5 p.m., while Saskatchewan plays Fraser Valley right after at 7:30 p.m.
Fraser Valley Bandits vs. Edmonton Stingers
Cameron Forte’s dominant 28 point and 10 rebound performance led the Fraser Valley Bandits over the Edmonton Stingers in a 113-100 win.
Forte started strong and didn’t stop, putting up 10 points in the first quarter. After gaining a quick lead, the Bandits led the Stingers 32-19 after the first quarter.
Fraser Valley would lead by as much as 23 in the second quarter but the Stingers refused to quit, bringing it to as close as 10. Unfortunately for Edmonton though, it wouldn’t be enough as the Bandits consistent ability to score all afternoon long was too much to handle.
The Stingers would start the second half strong. Back-to-back layups from Mambi Diawara and Xavier Moon, and then consecutive threes from Mathieu Kamba would cut the deficit to seven. That would be the closest they would get as 10-0 run from the Bandits would bring the lead back to an insurmountable 17.
In Elam time, Edmonton would bring it to 10 points again but a three pointer from Jahenns Manigat would seal the win for Fraser Valley, the worst team in the league last year.
Edmonton will look for their first win tomorrow against another winless squad, the Ottawa BlackJacks.
Fraser Valley will get the day off and play the defending champion Saskatchewan Rattlers Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
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