St. Catharines, ON – The quest for a historic three-peat continues as the two-time defending champion Niagara River Lions turn their sights to an Eastern Conference Finals showdown against the #2 seeded Brampton Honey Badgers. Niagara enters the conference championship matchup with immense momentum following a thrilling 86-84 victory over the #1 Scarborough Shooting Stars on Thursday night. Even against the league’s top regular-season squad, the River Lions delivered a gritty, clutch performance to advance and keep their championship aspirations alive. With a spot in the CEBL Championship Final on the line, every possession will carry increased importance as Niagara prepares to clash with their provincial rival. Niagara’s path forward will require the same defensive intensity and physicality that powered its upset win in Scarborough, where the River Lions forced timely stops and executed in the biggest moments. Leading the charge once again was the Lion King himself, Khalil Ahmad, who delivered when the lights were brightest. Ahmad scored 17 points, ending on a cold-blooded, game-winning three-pointer with two defenders draped over him to seal the victory and send Niagara to the Eastern Conference Finals. River Lions veteran Nathan Cayo served as an outstanding secondary option, spacing the floor with 3 three-pointers while attacking the paint with crafty finishes to complete his night with 16 points and 7 rebounds. For Niagara to keep rolling, Ahmad and Cayo will need to set the tempo early and continue to establish an unselfish offensive rhythm. Niagara’s bench will also need to be at their best against a deep Honey Badgers squad capable of changing the momentum with its second unit. The victory was far from easy, as Scarborough pushed Niagara through all four quarters despite missing three key rotation pieces. However, the River Lions’ championship calibre and late-game execution proved decisive when the game was on the line. Standing in Niagara’s way is a formidable Brampton squad led by elite scoring guard Sean East II, who had 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 13 assists, along with high-flying wing Trentyn Flowers who finished with 25 points and 7 rebounds in their Eastern Conference Semi-Finals matchup against the Ottawa Blackjacks. Brampton possesses a well-rounded roster capable of striking quickly in transition, making plays on both ends of the floor, and hitting their shots from the perimeter. Containing Brampton’s backcourt and winning the battle on the boards will be critical keys for Niagara’s defense. With a trip to the CEBL Championship Game at stake, Niagara’s success will hinge on its defensive intensity, floor spacing, and high-level execution under pressure. The River Lions have proven throughout the season that their title-defending identity shines brightest when the pressure is high. A victory over Brampton would send Niagara to their third straight CEBL Finals and bring the River Lions one step closer to cementing their place among the greatest dynasties in CEBL history. Game Information Date: Saturday, August 8th, 2026 Time: 1:00 p.m. ET Location: CAA Centre Broadcast: CBC, TSN, CEBL+, CBC Gem For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram , Facebook , TikTok , & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X . ### Media Contact: Cole Meyering Communications Coordinator communications@riverlions.ca

St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions are heading back to the Eastern Conference Final. In one of the biggest upsets in CEBL playoff history, Niagara defeated the top-seeded Scarborough Shooting Stars 86-84 Thursday night, overcoming the league's winningest team to advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the third consecutive season. Following a 10-14 regular season, Niagara entered Thursday’s matchup as the fourth seed and significant underdogs against a Scarborough team that had just completed a historic regular season. The Shooting Stars won a CEBL-record 20 games, doubling Niagara’s regular-season win total. Scarborough had also shown throughout the season that it could execute with composure while playing a balanced brand of basketball on both ends of the floor. But Niagara's roster had something Scarborough did not: Championship Experience . The River Lions entered the postseason as back-to-back CEBL champions, with six players on the roster who had previously won a championship in Niagara. Khalil Ahmad is a two-time champion, two-time Finals MVP and two-time Clutch Player of the Year, while Elijah Lufile owns the most championships in CEBL history with three. On a night when the game would ultimately come down to one possession, that experience proved invaluable. Elijah Lufile opened the scoring with a tip-in layup, and Niagara jumped out to an early five-point lead before Myles Powell sparked a Scarborough run, scoring the Shooting Stars’ next five points to help give the home team its first lead of the game. However, neither team could separate themselves before the end of the quarter, with the game tied 19-19 after the opening 10 minutes. The second quarter belonged to Scarborough. The Shooting Stars outscored Niagara 24-18 in the frame, with Anthony Walker leading the way, scoring nine of his 24 points in the quarter. Scarborough also began to change the tempo of the game, generating offense from its defense and converting multiple transition opportunities off blocks and missed shots. The fast-paced attack energized the home crowd at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre and allowed Scarborough to take control. The Shooting Stars closed the half with a 43-37 lead, putting the pressure on Niagara to respond coming out of the locker room. Scarborough extended its lead to eight early in the third when Akoi Yuot finished a reverse layup. Niagara answered immediately, with Nathan Cayo converting an and-one layup to keep the River Lions within striking distance. From there, the two teams traded baskets in what quickly became a heavyweight battle. Scarborough maintained its advantage for much of the quarter, but Niagara continued to chip away. Then Munis Tutu caught fire. The mid-season acquisition scored eight points in just over a minute, including the three-pointer that put Niagara back in front, providing the River Lions with a much-needed offensive spark at a pivotal point in the game. The River Lions outscored the Shooting Stars 31-26 in the third quarter, cutting Scarborough's six-point halftime lead to just one heading into the final frame. With both teams’ seasons on the line, the fourth quarter delivered exactly what a playoff game between two Eastern Conference rivals should. Scarborough opened the quarter with an emphatic baseline hesitation dunk from Anthony Walker, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. As Target Score Time approached, the intensity continued to rise, with both teams playing some of their best defense of the night. With four minutes remaining, Nathan Cayo made a strong move to the basket and finished with an athletic layup to give Niagara a 77-76 lead heading into Target Score Time. The Target Score was set at 86. Nine points separated the River Lions from the Eastern Conference Final. Every possession now carried the weight of the entire season. Cayo opened Target Time with a corner three, bringing Niagara within two possessions of the Eastern Conference Final. Scarborough responded with five straight points to tie the game at 81. After another Cayo layup and a Michael Foster three-pointer, the teams found themselves in a familiar situation — eerily similar to last season’s Eastern Conference Final. Scarborough and Niagara. One shot away from advancing. The Shooting Stars needed two points. The River Lions needed three. Niagara opted not to call a timeout and instead trusted their most experienced player. Khalil Ahmad used a screen near half court to create just enough separation before rising from the logo and drilling the game-winning three-pointer, sending Niagara into the Eastern Conference Final and silencing the Scarborough crowd. Championship Experience. Championship Calibre . And once again, Khalil Ahmad delivered in the biggest moment, living up to his reputation as “ Mr. Clutch ” and “ The Lion King .” The shot marked Ahmad’s sixth consecutive Target Score winner in the playoffs. His clutch performances have helped lead the River Lions to two championships and now their third straight Eastern Conference Final appearance. The River Lions have done it again. After entering the postseason as the fourth seed and knocking off the CEBL’s winningest team, Niagara is now one win away from a third consecutive appearance in the CEBL Championship. The quest for a three-peat continues Saturday, as the River Lions travel to Brampton to face the Honey Badgers in the Eastern Conference Final. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram , Facebook , TikTok , & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X . ### Media Contact: Cole Meyering Communications Coordinator communications@riverlions.ca

Samsung's True North Tunes platform will integrate emerging Canadian artists into every 2026 CEBL Playoff game, from pre-game playlists to Halftime Performances August 5 - Toronto, ON - Today, the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) welcomed Samsung as an Official Partner of the CEBL 2026 Playoffs. Samsung's True North Tunes platform, presented in partnership with Collective Arts, will amplify the unique synergy between music and basketball to showcase emerging Canadian talent and create a soundtrack to the League’s playoff excitement. Launched earlier this year, Samsung True North Tunes is an artist-first program that invites emerging Canadian musicians to submit original music for a chance at national exposure, mentorship and live performance opportunities, with a Top 100, Top 20 and Top 3 selected through judging and public voting over the course of the program. Collaborating with the CEBL will bring the platform and its artists, directly to basketball fans throughout the 2026 Playoffs and beyond. "Basketball and music are a natural partnership. We’re excited to be bringing Samsung True North Tunes to CEBL fans across the country," said Tafari Jilany, Head of Corporate marketing, Samsung Canada. "We’re putting great Canadian talent, on the court and in the hands of fans." Through the CEBL post-season (August 6 - 15/16), the partnership will integrate True North Tunes into CEBL digital, in-venue and broadcast content. Pre-Game Vibes content will spotlight players entering the arena to a True North Tunes soundtrack, CEBL Gameday Playlists will drop before every playoff game blending True North Tunes artists with player song picks. Collective Arts has partnered with Samsung Canada to support its longstanding commitment to emerging Canadian artists. As a lifestyle brand built on showcasing the talents of emerging artists and providing a platform for their work to be discovered and shared, Collective Arts is helping bring True North Tunes to life through unique brand experiences, storytelling, and opportunities for artists to connect and perform. The partnership will further build towards the CEBL Finals, where select True North Tunes artists take the stage for live halftime performances. Into the off-season, weekly CEBL Mixtapes will recap the season's best moments and players set to True North Tunes artist tracks, keeping the partnership alive beyond the Top 3 reveal. "Partnerships like this one reflect the strong social culture of basketball," said Ty Mazereeuw, President and CEO, CEBL. "Our sport and music have always been connected, and this relationship with Samsung gives us a real platform to celebrate Canadian artists alongside outstanding Canadian basketball." The CEBL's eighth season is in full swing as teams battle for playoff positioning ahead of the 2026 CEBL Playoffs , which tip off on August 6. Every game this season is streamed live on CBC Sports through CBC Gem , cbcsports.ca , and the CBC Sports YouTube channel , while select marquee regular season matchups, the Conference Finals and the CEBL Finals are broadcast nationally on CBC TV, bringing Canada's Pro Basketball League to fans across the country. For the full 2026 CEBL schedule, visit cebl.ca/schedule , and ticket information for all CEBL games can be found at cebl.ca/tickets . - 30 - About the Canadian Elite Basketball League The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada's professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide. The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL's ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball's cultural footprint across Canada. Running from May through August, the CEBL's season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement. About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom . About Collective Arts Collective Arts is a lifestyle beverage company founded on the belief that creativity should be part of everyday life. Since 2013, the brand has supported and featured thousands of artists and musicians from around the world, using its platform to bring art, music, and culture into everything it creates. For more information, please visit collectiveartscreativity.com . Media Contacts: [CEBL Media Contact] Ansh Sanyal — VP, Brand & Marketing Canadian Elite Basketball League asanyal@cebl.ca [Samsung Media Contact] Ryan Lannon – Sr. Account Dir., Technology Edelman Ryan.Lannon@edelman.com

St. Catharines, ON – The regular season is now in the rearview mirror as the River Lions gear up for their biggest challenge of the season: an Eastern Conference Semi-Final matchup against the top-seeded Shooting Stars on Thursday night. Niagara enters the postseason looking to bounce back after a difficult finish to the regular season. The River Lions lost 81–76 to the Calgary Surge in their season finale, capping off a difficult two-game Western-Conference road trip where the team lost two games, bringing their record on the season to 10-14. With clean slates all around, every possession carries even greater significance as fourth-seeded Niagara travels to Scarborough with their three-peat aspirations on the line. To pull off the road upset, Niagara will need to carry forward the gritty identity they’ve played with all season and get going right out of the gate in order to push past their Eastern Conference rivals. Leading the charge is two-time Finals MVP Khalil Ahmad, who has continued to impress when the lights shine brightest. Ahmad stood out in the season finale for Niagara, contributing 21 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Alongside him, forward Nathan Cayo has solidified his role as a reliable second option, delivering 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals against the Surge. For Niagara to extend their season, Ahmad and Cayo will need to set the tone early, allowing the River Lions bench to make timely contributions when needed and control the tempo of the game. If Niagara can establish its pace early and continue sharing the basketball, they'll give themselves a chance to pull off the upset. An away playoff game will present a formidable test for Niagara as they face a Scarborough squad that won a historic 20 games en route to earning the first seed in the Conference. The Shooting Stars boast a deep, battle-tested roster capable of controlling the pace and punishing turnovers and mistakes in transition. Anchored by MVP candidate Myles Powell, who's averaging 22.9 points (3rd in CEBL), 3.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, and defensive stopper Kellen Tynes, averaging 2.0 steals per game (tied 1st in CEBL) the Shooting Stars have one of the CEBL’s most talented roster. However, Scarborough will be without three key contributors on Thursday after Frank Mitchell, Javan Johnson, and Terquavion Smith were suspended following an altercation in Monday's game against Brampton. The trio accounted for nearly 54 points, 18 rebounds, and over 78 minutes per game during the regular season, leaving a significant void on both ends of the floor. Their absence leaves Powell as the only available Shooting Star who averaged double figures this season, while Charles Bediako becomes the club's lone active player averaging more than five rebounds per game. With a trip to the Eastern Conference Semi-Final on the line, Niagara's success will hinge on its defensive intensity, rebounding, and ability to capitalize on Scarborough's depleted lineup. The River Lions have shown throughout the season that they can compete with anyone when they're playing their brand of basketball. A road playoff victory over the conference's top seed would not only extend Niagara's title defense, but serve as another reminder that championship experience matters when the postseason begins. Game Information Date: Thursday, August 6th, 2026 Time: 7:30 p.m. ET Location: Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Broadcast: CEBL+, CBC Gem, YouTube For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram , Facebook , TikTok , & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X . ### Media Contact: Cole Meyering Communications Coordinator communications@riverlions.ca

St. Catharines, ON – After clinching a playoff spot Thursday night the regular season comes down to the final game as the Niagara River Lions wrap up their two-game Western road trip with a high-stakes showdown against the Calgary Surge. Fresh off an 89–78 loss to the Saskatoon Mamba Wednesday night, Niagara enters their final matchup of the regular season with critical playoff seeding and potential home court advantage hanging in the balance. Despite the setback in Saskatoon, individual offensive sparks offered positive signs for Niagara. Guard Kyle Vinales paced the River Lions with a team-high 18 points and 7 assists, while two-time Finals MVP Khalil Ahmad added 16 points in the backcourt. Off the bench, Keonte Kennedy provided a valuable lift with 15 points to keep Niagara within striking distance down the stretch. Heading into the season finale, the River Lions will need a complete, 40-minute game to bounce back and steer Niagara into the win column before the postseason begins. However, a road matchup at WinSport Event Centre presents a formidable challenge against a Calgary Surge roster brimming with elite talent and frontline size. Featuring All-Canadian playmaker Sean Miller-Moore, who's averaging 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Operating alongside him in the backcourt is G League champion guard Jon Elmore, dishing 5.0 assists per contest with an elite 90.9% mark from the free-throw line. Down low, former NBA forward Greg Brown III provides exceptional length and explosive interior presence. Calgary’s physical transition game and aggressive rim protection will demand disciplined transition defense and persistent glass work from Niagara. With playoff positioning and first round homecourt advantage hanging in the balance, the River Lions look to close out the regular season on a high note and build momentum heading into postseason action. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET at WinSport Event Centre. Fans can tune in live on CEBL+, CBC Gem, and YouTube. Game Information Date: Friday, July 31st, 2026 Time: 9:30 p.m. ET Location: WinSport Event Centre Broadcast: CEBL+, CBC Gem, YouTube For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram , Facebook , TikTok , & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X . ### Media Contact: Cole Meyering Communications Coordinator communications@riverlions.ca

St. Catharines, ON – With just two games remaining in the regular season, the Niagara River Lions head west for a pivotal two-game road trip that will determine their playoff fate. Fresh off a 27 point comeback victory against the Ottawa Blackjacks, Niagara improved to 10-12 and climbed into third place in the Eastern Conference, half a game back from Brampton. Saskatoon is next up on the horizon and these are now MUST-WIN games.  Saskatoon enters the matchup after securing their playoff spot in a 98-92 win at home against Brampton last week, and are sitting at 10-11 in the Western conference. Saskatoon won the lone meeting between the two teams this season, earning a convincing 104-77 win on Niagara’s home floor. Niagara now has an opportunity to even the season series while keeping its playoff hopes firmly in their own hands. Niagara’s recent momentum has been sparked by crucial depth and defensive intensity across the roster. Forward Nathan Cayo has been one of Niagara's most consistent contributors during the team's recent surge, averaging 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, on 59/43/80 shooting splits over the past 5 games. On the perimeter, Keonte Kennedy and Munis Tutu have fueled Niagara's defensive identity, combining for 21 steals over the last five games while each averaging more than two steals per contest. Meanwhile, Khalil Ahmad continues to elevate his game at the perfect time, averaging 23.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists over his last six contests while shooting 58% from the field and 89% from the free throw line. "Mr. Clutch" has once again shown why he remains one of the league's most dangerous late-game scorers. However, a matchup with the Saskatoon Mamba presents one of the most complete rosters in Canadian basketball. Featuring dynamic guard Tavian Dunn-Martin, who leads the charge with an explosive 17.2 points and 6.2 assists per game (5th in CEBL). Alongside him, Tevian Jones provides another dangerous scoring option, averaging 19.3 points and 4.7 rebounds a night. Inside the paint, Saskatoon relies on the relentless energy of center Jaden Bediako to set the tone on both ends of the floor, averaging 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds (4th in CEBL), 1.8 blocks (1st in CEBL), and 59.5% shooting from the field (4th in CEBL). In addition to their star power, the Mamba also boast a deep, battle-tested rotation capable of turning defensive pressure into rapid transition scoring. Sunday's comeback kept Niagara's hopes of hosting a playoff game alive. Now, with just two games remaining, the River Lions look to carry that momentum into the postseason. Another win would bring them one step closer to securing the second seed in one of the closer playoff races in recent CEBL history. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET at SaskTel Centre. Fans can tune in live on CEBL+, CBC Gem, and YouTube. Game Information Date: Wednesday, July 29th, 2026 Time: 9:30 p.m. ET Location: SaskTel Centre Broadcast: CEBL+, CBC Gem, YouTube For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram , Facebook , TikTok , & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X . ### Media Contact: Cole Meyering Communications Coordinator communications@riverlions.ca

St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions completed one of the biggest comebacks in franchise history Sunday afternoon, erasing a 27-point deficit to defeat the Ottawa BlackJacks 106-102 on Fan Appreciation Night at the Meridian Centre. Niagara entered Sunday’s matchup against Ottawa needing a win. They had lost their last two games and sat in fourth place in a tightly contested Eastern Conference. The stakes were even higher with Ottawa holding the head-to-head tiebreaker over Niagara, making Sunday's matchup critical in the race for playoff positioning. The first quarter was off to a rough start for Niagara as the BlackJacks led for the majority of the quarter and ended the frame in control with a 26-18 lead. Javonte Smart led the way for Ottawa with 6 points and 3 assists. One of the biggest struggles early was the River Lions offense which was held to 18 points on 40% shooting from the field, while committing 5 turnovers in the first. The quarter ended with a deep three from Marko Maletic at the horn which extended the BlackJacks lead to eight. The BlackJacks blew the game open in the second quarter, scoring 38 points. Ottawa’s shooters were on fire through one half of basketball, shooting 63.9% from the field and 56.2% from three. Marko Maletic was the biggest contributor off the bench for the BlackJacks recording 11 points and 4 rebounds in the half. The BlackJacks ended the half with a 64-42 lead over Niagara, seeming to be in complete control of the game. The third quarter initially looked like more of the same with Niagara making a couple of sloppy turnovers leading to the BlackJacks extending their lead to 27, their largest of the game. Down 27 points and in danger of seeing the game slip away completely, Niagara finally found the spark it had been searching for. Keonte Kennedy knocked down three three-pointers to start the quarter, while Ahmad sank three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt before drilling a step-back three of his own. Even with this run, Ahmad and the River Lions still had plenty of work to do with a 16-point deficit and five minutes left in the third quarter. Ottawa’s shooting would start to falter and Niagara was ready to capitalize on the opportunity, outscoring the BlackJacks 38-23 in the third and cutting their deficit down to seven points. Niagara's comeback was fueled on both ends of the floor. Offensively, the River Lions knocked down six of their ten three-point attempts in the third quarter. Defensively, Munis Tutu set the tone with relentless hustle, diving for loose balls, forcing turnovers, and grabbing key rebounds that energized the Meridian Centre crowd. Niagara River Lions Head Coach Kimbal Mackenzie commented on the group’s improvement heading into the second: “I think our sense of urgency. We were into the basketball and we were flying around. Sometimes that can make the biggest difference. Our energy picked up, our competitiveness, our willingness to do the tough things defensively. So I think that's what helped us.” The job wasn’t finished yet as Niagara still had one quarter of basketball to play trailing 87-80. The fourth quarter became a back-and-forth battle as Niagara slowly chipped away at Ottawa's lead without drawing even. Heading into Target Time Khalil Ahmad showed why he’s known as “Mr. Clutch” attacking the rim with ease and scoring 7 points through the first 5 minutes of the final frame. After a Javonte Smart layup with less than four minutes in the fourth quarter and a four point lead the BlackJacks were preparing to intentionally foul and enter Target Time. As Ahmad crossed the timeline the BlackJacks attempted to foul the Niagara star. Ahmad would make a savvy veteran move by going up for a shot before he was fouled, earning a trip to the line and knocking down three free throws to cut Ottawa’s lead to 97-96. In Target Time, Niagara capitalized on every opportunity, stringing together defensive stops while forcing Ottawa into difficult shots. The River Lions would take a 102-100 lead after a Tutu block which instantly turned into a transition layup. Two possessions later Kennedy would strip Javonte Smart of the ball and throw down a monster slam in transition, blowing the roof off the Meridian Centre as Niagara was now one basket away from winning the game. Following a couple turnovers from both teams Matthew Cleveland would kick his legs out on a three point attempt which would be called as an offensive foul. Ahmad would head to the line and ice the game with two free throws giving Niagara their first win against Ottawa of the season. Ahmad finished with 31 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals, leading Niagara's remarkable comeback. After the game, Ahmad credited his mindset: “Just trying to be locked in from the jump, you know, focus on the things that I control, defense, talking to my teammates, et cetera, and then just letting other things fall into place.” The win marks Niagara’s second 20+ point comeback of the season showcasing the River Lions prowess at finishing games strong. Despite the comeback, Niagara's slow starts remain an area of concern heading into the playoffs. Sunday marks the 14th game of the season in which Niagara has trailed entering half-time which is tied for second most in the CEBL. The River Lions have proven they can compete with anyone in the CEBL, however they still need to prove that they can showcase that level of play from the opening tip. The victory moves Niagara into third place in the Eastern Conference with a one-game cushion over Ottawa. That separation is significant, as the BlackJacks own the season tiebreaker. With two games remaining, the River Lions now sit just half a game behind the Honey Badgers for second place while Brampton still has two meetings remaining with the league-leading Scarborough Shooting Stars. Ahmad thinks defense will play an important role in Niagara’s next two games: “Our big focus is defense, honestly. Like, if we can take care of it on the defensive end, keep teams to under, you know, 80 or something like that we'll put ourselves in a really good position to win any game.” Kimbal Mackenzie commented on the team’s point of emphasis to close out the season: “Two wins. I mean, every game is super important at this point, we know that. The emphasis is to continue to get better and to learn each other better going into the playoffs.” Niagara will close out the regular season with a two-game west coast road trip. The River Lions face the Saskatoon Mamba on Wednesday, July 29 at 9:30 pm before ending the season against the Calgary Surge later that week on Friday, July 31. For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram , Facebook , TikTok , & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X . ### Media Contact: Cole Meyering Communications Coordinator communications@riverlions.ca