Game Day Recap: August 14th

It’s been a season of firsts for the Niagara River Lions.

After being the first team to register a CEBL win, they were the first team to clinch a playoff spot. Now, they’re the first #1 seed in CEBL history, finishing the regular season with a 15-5 record.

Wednesday night at the FirstOntario Centre the River Lions defeated the Hamilton Honey Badgers 108-94. They won the season series 3-1 against the Honey Badgers and are set to play them in the first round of the Playoffs at Championship Weekend.

“(It) feels good to clinch the (number one) seed but that’s just the regular season,” said forward Dorian Pinson. “We’re focused on winning a championship and doing whatever it takes. Our main focus is to make sure we are ready to go when the lights hit (in the playoffs).”

Pinson was incredible for the River Lions, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, field goals made, steals and plus/minus. He was everywhere for Niagara, to the tune of 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, three steals and 10 of 13 from the field with a +13 rating in just over 33 minutes.

“(It) felt good,” Pinson said when asked about his performance. “It’s a team effort, my guys saw I was rolling and just trusted me. That’s all a player could ever ask for.”

The River Lions were also given standout performances from Sam Muldrow and Ryan Anderson. Muldrow was named as a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year earlier on Wednesday, and followed it up with 21 points, 8 rebounds, five blocks and five three pointers. Muldrow leads the CEBL in blocks per game.

Anderson, on the other hand, dropped in 23 points off the bench while also hitting five three-pointers. Anderson ran away with the three-point crown this season, hitting a league high 65 threes on the season at 40.6% (good for 5th in the league).

This was a big win for the River Lions, who managed to keep the Honey Badgers at bay even when the game was close. After Javon Masters made two free throws to tie it at 83 with 7:55 left in the fourth quarter, the River Lions outscored the Honey Badgers 25-11 for the remainder of the game. This was encouraging for Niagara, who had a tendency to take their foot off the gas in the fourth quarter earlier in the season.

Niagara started the game well, leading 29-26 after the first quarter. Ryan Anderson hit a three-pointer to go up three at the end of the quarter, and the River Lions were shooting a very hot 50% from the field and 55% from behind the three-point line.

Niagara led 58-50 at half, fueled by another hot shooting quarter.

Their lead was cut to three by the end of the third quarter, and Hamilton’s largest lead in the second half was one point.

Hamilton was led by Ricky Tarrant Jr., who scored 26 points and grabbed four rebounds. They also had Demetrius Denzel-Dyson chip in with 20 points and nine rebounds.

By Nicolas Bueno