Rattlers Complete Elam Time Comeback Win 86-81

ST CATHARINES, ON – The Saskatchewan Rattlers came back from down seven points going into Elam time to defeat the River Lions 86-81 on Sunday evening.  The Rattlers move to 3-3 while the River Lions fall to 4-3.

A back and forth first quarter matched the defence of Saskatchewan with the rebounding of Niagara.  Layups and free throws were the method of points for both teams as they worked to get to the rim.  While Niagara was able to convert at a 53 per cent clip in the quarter compared to Saskatchewan’s 46, Saskatchewan forced four more turnovers in the quarter which took away key River Lions opportunities. 

The lead swapped back and forth throughout the quarter but a D’Andre Bernard free throw and Devonte Bandoo close range jumper gave Saskatchewan the lead that they held going into the second quarter, 19-18.

Jaylen Babb-Harrison made his impact in the second quarter from beyond the arc and in the mid-range area.  His three-point shot elevated the River Lions offence who were able to get out and run more.  Saskatchewan turned the ball over six times in the second quarter and Ahmad who found Ej Onu on a lob two times in the first quarter, kicked it out to his shooters in the second and gave Niagara 43-41 lead at halftime. 

Babb-Harrison led the scoring with 15 points going into halftime with Tony Carr leading the Rattlers with 14.  Saskatchewan got to the foul line consistently throughout the first half, shooting 11 free throws to Niagara’s 6 and the athleticism of Carr, Bandoo and Ali Sow was on display. 

Daniel Walden-Mullings started the second half with a layup, steal and layup to extend the River Lions lead to six within the first 45 seconds of the quarter.  Walden-Mullings steal and through the legs pass to a trailing Antonio Davis Jr continued a third quarter of the River Lions creating and making the most of transition opportunities. 

A Bernard quick cut to the basket brought the Rattlers back within one, 49-48 with 5:50 left in the third quarter and the lead that had changed 13 times in the first half, was up for a change once again.  Lindsey, Bernard and Bandoo gave the Rattlers their offence but the big men in Keita, Onu and Davis Jr made sure Niagara kept the lead throughout the third quarter.  Both teams went in to the fourth shooting in the 30s, 38 field goal percentage for Niagara and 33 per cent for Saskatchewan, but Niagara held onto a 60-54 lead going into the fourth.  Onu and Davis Jr combined for six blocks going into the final frame.

The River Lions pushed their lead to 15 in the fourth, 71-56 thanks to the play around the rim of Onu and Davis Jr.  A series of dunks and close range jumpers gave the River Lions a consistent place to go with their offence.  The Rattlers responded with Lindsey’s shooting from the perimeter and Carr’s shot-creating, and they brought the deficit down to single digits.  Going into Elam time, Niagara held a 77-70 lead and the target score was set at 86.  After his fourth quarter going into Elam, Davis Jr went into Elam with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks.  Onu with 13 points, six rebounds and five blocks.

Carr made or assisted on the Rattlers first three baskets of Elam time, matched by Babb-Harrison and Onu who scored for the River Lions to make it 81-77.  Carr continued to attack, getting to the foul line twice and he tied the game at 81 for the Rattlers who went into Elam time down seven.  A Bandoo baseline jumper and Malik Benlevi three stopped the River Lions from getting back into a rhythm and gave the Rattlers a 86-81 win on the road. 

Carr finished the game with 25 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and a steal.  Lindsey scored 14 points to go with five rebounds, an assist, steal and block.  Bandoo matched the 14 points and recorded four rebounds and an assist.  Benlevi and Bernard both recorded 12 points, Benlevi adding three rebounds, three assists and a steal while Bernard added nine rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Babb-Harrison and Davis Jr both scored 20 points for the River Lions.  Babb-Harrison complimented his points with three rebounds, two assists and two steals.  Davis Jr added nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks.  Onu finished with 13 points, six rebounds and five blocks.