Ahmad's Return and Late Target Time Push Not Enough as River Lions Fall to Shooting Stars
St. Catharines, ON – A returning star and another late comeback effort gave River Lions fans plenty to cheer about Wednesday night, but the Scarborough Shooting Stars proved too much to overcome as Niagara fell 104-93 at Meridian Centre.
Tonight's matchup marked the return of Khalil Ahmad following his overseas season, giving Niagara its first look at a roster that hopes to complete the first three-peat in CEBL history. Early on, the River Lions showed signs of that potential.
Niagara led in the first half for the first time since their Home Opener on May 29, jumping out to a 10-5 advantage behind Ahmad and an energized start. Scarborough quickly responded, however, as Myles Powell helped erase the deficit in a tightly contested opening quarter that featured six lead changes. The Shooting Stars closed the first frame ahead 26-22, led by Powell’s eight points.
The momentum shifted in the second quarter.
The Shooting Stars lived up to their name, opening the frame shooting 3 for 3 from beyond the arc and 5 for 5 from the charity stripe as a part of a 18-9 run. Scarborough continued to dominate throughout the second quarter especially on the Offensive Glass. At the centre of it all was Frank Mitchell, whose relentless work fueled the visitors’ attack. Mitchell pulled down seven rebounds in just three minutes helping Scarborough build a 21 point lead. By halftime the Shooting Stars owned a commanding 19-9 edge in second-chance points, led by Mitchell’s 15 points and 9 rebounds.
“We knew today was going to be a physical game with the way Niagara plays and how they get after it, so the guys were up to the task,” said Scarborough Head Coach Tyrell Vernon “I thought Frank and Charles did a phenomenal job, and our guards were coming down and helping out. That’s going to be a part of our identity going forward, so hopefully we can keep that level of offensive rebounding up.”
Despite trailing by as many as 21, Niagara refused to go away.
The River Lions closed the half on a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to 12 entering the break. Defensively, Scarborough made life difficult for Ahmad and the River Lions with Kellen Tynes recording four first-half steals while drawing the primary defensive assignment. Tynes ended the night with five steals and earned praise from his coach after the game.
“Kellen’s probably one of the best on-ball defenders I’ve ever coached,” Vernon said. “For him to be able to be selfless, defend, and take the toughest matchup every night takes a lot of energy, but he loves doing it, and he takes it as a challenge every night”
Scarborough maintained control early in the third quarter behind Powell, who reached 19 points midway through the frame. The momentum appeared to shift when Powell went down hard while attempting to draw a charge and exited the game with the assistance of his teammates while grabbing his knee.
Niagara capitalized.

The River Lions closed the quarter on a 15-7 run to trim the deficit to eight points heading into the fourth. Nathan Cayo led the charge for Niagara, knocking down three crucial three-pointers to bring his points total up to 15 on the night while shooting 5-for-6 from beyond the arc.
However, another slow start proved costly.
Scarborough opened the final frame on an 11 - 4 run to rebuild their cushion. Powell later returned to the floor and immediately made his presence felt, drilling a pair of three-pointers to help extend the lead to 13 entering Target Time. Powell finished with 25 points, while Javan Johnson added 22, and Mitchell chipped in 19 points and 10 rebounds for his league leading fifth Double Double.
Niagara opened Target Time with multiple defensive stops and transition buckets, bringing the game to within five points at 97-92. The River Lions defensive intensity created opportunities in the open floor, while aggressive drives to the basket generated quality perimeter looks. But just as Niagara appeared poised to complete the comeback, Scarborough’s work on the glass resurfaced. A pair of crucial offensive rebounds extended possessions for the Shooting Stars and halted the River Lions’ momentum. Moments later, Powell buried a fadeaway three-pointer to reach the Target Score and secure Scarborough’s sixth win of the season.
“That’s my third game winner in our six wins this season,” Powell said. “My teammates and my coaches believe in me so much that it’s hard to lack confidence in that moment.”
The victory improved Scarborough to 6-1, while Niagara was left searching for answers after another game spent playing from behind. The River Lions trailed for more than 31 minutes and entered halftime behind for the sixth time this season.
Still, there were encouraging signs.
Ahmad’s return had a positive impact on Niagara’s offensive play, and the River Lions generated 93 points despite having just one practice with their star guard back in the lineup.
“This was our first day with him, but I thought he did a good job,” said River Lions Head Coach Kimbal Mackenzie. “Khalil’s a good basketball player and I thought the guys played really well off of him, so I’m not too worried about that, but obviously it will take a little bit of time to get him fully integrated”
For Ahmad, the return felt familiar “This is like my second home,” he said. “ I’ve been here for so long that I know everybody, I know where to go, and I’m always super comfortable, so it’s great to be here” Ahmad also expressed confidence in the group’s potential moving forward. “We’re super talented and we have all the potential in the world. We just have to put it together. If we can put together 40-minute games, I think we will be really hard to beat and we will put ourselves in a great position by the end of the year.”
The Niagara River Lions continue their homestand on Saturday, June 13, against the Montreal Alliance. Tip-off is scheduled for
7
p.m.as Niagara looks to fight their way back into a playoff spot with a win against the Alliance.
The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025). Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court.
For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X.
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Cole Meyering
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