Nighthawks, River Lions Looking to Rebound Back Into the Win Column in CEBL Summer Series Tilt

Tuesday’s game between the Nighthawks and River Lions is available to watch on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Gem App and Twitch. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. ET.

Bounce Back Performance 

After a dominant first game, the River Lions were dismantled by the Rattlers in Sunday’s game. 2019 Canadian of the Year, Guillaume Boucard made just one of nine shots from the floor and was held to two points. Boucard is looking to rebound from an atypical performance, but his driving game will be affected by Guelph big men Jonathan Arledge, Tre-darius McCallum, Jabari Craig and Tyrell Green. The Nighthawks quartet have protected the paint in their last two Summer Series games and will look to make life difficult for Boucard and the rest of the River Lions. The River Lions will be aided by the return of starting guard Trae Bell-Haynes who missed Sunday’s game due to injury. After the River Lions defeat to the Rattlers, head coach Victor Raso noted that Bell-Haynes would be back in the lineup to face the Nighthawks. 

The extra day between games will benefit the River Lions after fatigue affected their game against the Rattlers. The River Lions were on the second day of a back-to-back, never an easy feat but especially after players were off the basketball court for nearly four months due to COVID-19. Niagara had defeated Hamilton the day prior.

The Nighthawks will not have the same luxury, as they are coming off playing the Hamilton Honey Badgers yesterday. The Nighthawks couldn’t overcome Hamilton’s defensive pressure and shot a scant .290 from the field. Head coach Charles Kissi will have to get his squad re-focused and re-organized if they hope to have a stronger showing against the River Lions in tonight’s game.  

This evening’s game will feature one of the most exciting new players in the CEBL, Daniel Mullings. The New Mexico State alum has garnered national praise for his efficient and high-scoring performances in his first two Summer Series games. Mullings has averaged 19 points, 6.5 rebounds and three assists in the Summer Series thus far while shooting .605 from the field. An early candidate for CEBL Most Valuable Player, expect to see the Nighthawks add pressure to Mullings when the ball is in his hands. Mullings will likely continue to see plenty of floor time, as he’s averaged 27.9 minutes per game. 

Guelph will have to get out of the starting blocks quickly if they hope to combat Niagara’s high-powered offense. The Nighthawks trailed the Honey Badgers 10-0 two minutes and 45 seconds into the first quarter of Monday night’s game. Niagara on the other hand, has been nothing but fast to start their Summer Series games. They have been putting up points in bundles early into games which will provide headaches for the Nighthawks if they can’t get the ball into the basket early. 

Cleaning Up the Boards

It will be a tilt of two heavyweight rebounders with Jonathon Arledge and Guillaume Boucard facing off in the paint. Arledge and Boucard both currently lead the CEBL in rebounds during the Summer Series averaging 7.5 rebounds per game each.  

Following Tuesday’s game, Guelph meets Saskatchewan (1-0) on Friday. The Rattlers opened their CEBL Summer Series campaign with a 96-79 victory over Niagara on Sunday. They take on Fraser Valley in game two of today’s doubleheader. Niagara’s next action comes Friday against Edmonton (1-1), which defeated the Ottawa Blackjacks, 89-82 in Monday’s clash.