River Lions look to make a run at the second seed

The Hamilton Honey Badgers (9-3) travel to the Meridian Centre with significant playoff seeding implications on the line when they face the Niagara River Lions (7-4) on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT in the first of a two-game mini-series. 

This marks the third meeting between Hamilton and Niagara this season. Both teams remain tied in the season series (1-1) following their two previous matchups on July 11 and 17. 

A Battle of Second Halves

In their first encounter, the Honey Badgers saw themselves trailing in the fourth quarter by as much as 15 points before going on a 30-point run to end regulation time and steal the victory in the Elam Ending 78-76. 

Niagara responded in the rematch seven days later by outscoring Hamilton 29-12 in a dominant third quarter outburst after trailing for most of the first-half. The River Lions went on to win that game by three points and even the regular season series. 

Both squads have also had their fair share of slow starts pop up during the season. However, if the second-half numbers between these last two contests demonstrate anything, it's that this game may be determined by whomever can demonstrate the most consistency throughout the final two quarters.

Missed Opportunities

On Aug 1, the River Lions entered Sunday night’s competition against the Nighthawks having struggled from the free throw line all season. Despite forward Olu Ashaolu impressing in the second quarter with his ability to score inside and set up good looks for Canadian guards Phil Scrubb and Jaylen Babb-Harrison, Niagara converted only 11 of 23 free throws to finish the game. 

Meanwhile, Hamilton has struggled mightily at three-point range against Guelph on July 27 after going 9 of 37 from beyond the arc – an area in which the Honey Badgers currently rank among the league's best. 

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia native Lindell Wigginton along with Cody John were responsible for all but one of the team's made three-pointers. All eyes will be on Wigginton along with Jean-Victor Mukama and former Duke Blue Devil Trevon Duval to produce early and relieve some of the pressure off their exceptional bench. 

Win and You're In

The Honey Badgers currently sit one and a half games ahead of the Rivers Lions in the regular season standings, and are also riding a three-game winning streak. Hamilton only needs to win one of their final two games – both against Niagara – to lock up second place and receive an automatic bye to the CEBL semifinals at Championship Weekend. 

On the other side of the court, the River Lions must win both of their remaining games against the Honey Badgers to win the tie-breaker with Hamilton and secure the second playoff seed. 

Niagara also has a chance of avoiding a tie-breaker entirely if they can win out against both Hamilton and Ottawa, the latter of which the River Lions will face at home to close out their regular season.

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