BlackJacks Look to Snap Losing Run in Rematch Against River Lions
The Ottawa BlackJacks look to end their three-game losing streak when they host the Niagara River Lions on June 21 at 7:30 pm ET. It is the second game of a home-and-home between the two teams. Niagara won in St. Catharines 89-78 on June 18.
The River Lions (6-3) are coming in second in the CEBL standings having won two games in a row. After losing some recent games after leading in Elam time, they were able to finish off the BlackJacks and the Montréal Alliance.
The BlackJacks’ (1-6) lone victory of the season came on the road to the Newfoundland Growlers, when forward Deng Adel hit a game-winning jumper.
In their previous game against Niagara, the BlackJacks kept it close with the River Lions in the first quarter but fell behind in the second and third quarters. Ottawa had more rebounds (45-35) and shot better from the field (45-42 per cent) but their turnovers cost them (27-15). Niagara scored 28 points from those turnovers.
Another factor from that game was the difference in bench production. The River Lions had 33 bench points to the BlackJacks’ 10. Munis Tutu and Tidjan Keita each had 13 points to add to balanced scoring from the starters.
Ottawa’s success starts with their two players with NBA experience. Captain Walt Lemon Jr. is second on the team with an average of 18.4 points in addition to 4.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.9 steals. Forward Deng Adel’s average of 20.5 points is third in the league. Adel is also an efficient shooter with a 64.2 per cent field goal rate, good for fourth in the CEBL.
Centre Chad Posthumus is a reliable player down low with his scoring, defence and rebounding. He is third in the league averaging 9.1 rebounds.
The BlackJacks will need to match the River Lions’ depth. Niagara has eight players averaging seven or more points, including leading scorer Khalil Ahmad at 19.4. Jaylen Babb-Harrison is a three-point threat for them, shooting 43 per cent. Former Carleton guards Tutu and Phil Scrubb are also reliable three-point shooters at 39 and 35 per cent.
Niagara is good at sharing the basketball as well. They average 18.7 assists, second in the league. Ahmad (5.3 assists) and Scrubb (4.2) are the main facilitators in running an offence that is second in league in average points (86.4) and first in field goal percentage (46.6).
The BlackJacks’ strength comes from the boards play. They led all teams with 38.7 rebounds per game, led by Posthumus (9.1), Jackson Rowe (9.0) and Adel (5.8).
The focus for the River Lions will be to continue closing out games in Elam time after leading. For Ottawa, it will be about defending and matching Niagara’s efficient offence.
With the Hamilton Badgers losing to Guelph on June 19, this game presents an opportunity for the River Lions to gain ground on first place. For Ottawa, it’s a chance to close the gap between them and the Montréal Alliance for eighth place.
All games will be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ and on CEBL Mobile the official app of the CEBL for iOS and Android devices. Games are also available to stream live in Canada via cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices, and the free CBC Gem streaming service.
A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.