Sow hits Game-Winner as Rattlers Edge River Lions 92-90
With the game tied at 90 in a next basket wins situation, Saskatchewan Rattlers guard Ali Sow made his move. Sow drove into the lane and hit an offence balance shot as the Rattlers prevailed 92-90 in a nail-biter over the Niagara River Lions.
It was a close back-and-forth game. Saskatchewan was ahead for most of the fourth quarter but Niagara made a late comeback, with Elijah Mitrou-Long tying it up before Sow’s game-winner.
“I told him I’m buying him lunch because if something went wrong on the other end, I would have been hurting,” Rattlers guard Devonte Bandoo said of Sow’s game-winner. “I’m just proud of our guys and Ali came through and hit a big bucket for us and I think we learn from it and get better.”
Both teams were missing key players: Tony Carr was Saskatchewan and EJ Onu, Phil Scrubb and Jaylen Babb-Harrison for Niagara. Niagara assistant coach Danielle Boiago was filling in as head coach for the game.
The game started close with the Rattlers and River Lions tied at 18 after the first quarter. Saskatchewan went out to an early 5-2 lead after a Sebastian Åris layup and an ensuing free throw.
The teams traded baskets as the score remained close. Anthony Tsegakele and Elijah Mitrou-Long exchanged free throws to end the quarter.
The River Lions gained a bit of separation early in the second quarter as Khalil Ahmad fouled on another three-point shot. He hit all three foul shots and then hit a three to put Niagara up 26-21. Ahmad continued to be aggressive, initiating the River Lions’ offence.
However, the home team fought back with a seven-point run to take back the lead, with a Bandoo three. They established an early rebounding advantage but struggled from deep.
Ahmad and Bandoo took over the second quarter scoring. Bandoo put home an offensive rebound to give his team a 32-27 edge. He drilled a top of the key three a few minutes later. Ahmad answered with a dunk. Daniel Walden-Mulling was also effective for Niagara, hitting a three to cut the deficit to 38-37 heading into halftime.
Walden-Mullings sunk two free throws to give Niagara a 39-38 lead in the third quarter. The game remained a one-score game for most of the quarter. The Rattlers got to the basket and foul line by running in transition.
Niagara also scored in transition as Antonio Davis Jr. scored off a fast break and hit the following foul shot. Saskatchewan ended the third quarter up 63-61.
The Rattlers extended their lead as the three-point shooting improved from the first quarter. Scottie Lindsey hit a three and then a jumper to put Saskatchewan ahead 72-66. Lindsey and Ahmad traded scores as Saskatchewan led 82-77 going into the Elam Ending.
The River Lions made a final push as Mitrou-Long and Ahmad drove to the basket and hit free throws to pull within three. However, the Rattlers pulled out the victory with Sow’s basket.
The Rattlers won the rebounding battle (45-38) but shot below their season average from three (29 per cent). Bandoo said rebounding is something they focus on in film and they wanted to take advantage of Onu’s absence.
Lindsey led the team with 25 points before fouling out. Bandoo had 21 points, five rebounds and four assists. Tsegakele (11 points, nine rebounds) and Sow (seven points, three assists) made an impact, including with the game-winner.
“We played great,” Bandoo noted. “Just dealing with adversity…I feel like we’re getting better every day.”
Ahmad led all players with 35 points as well as nine rebounds and four assists. Walden Mullings (19 points, six rebounds) provided deep shooting (two-for-three) while Davis Jr. (16 points, eight rebounds) filled in for Onu.
“I think we didn’t really finish plays that well defensively,” Ahmad noted. “We didn’t finish with rebounds. We kind of bailed them out a couple of times.”
He credited him and his teammates’ offensive performance to “being aggressive, getting downhill and shooting what they give me.” Ahmad called it an adjustment for the team to play without Onu, Babb-Harrison and Scrubb.
The teams are tied at 7-4. The Rattlers play the Newfoundland Growlers on the road on July 3, the first of three straight road games. The River Lions travel to play the Fraser Valley Bandits on July 3.
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