River Lions Steal Another Game From Bandits

Two lows equalled one high when the Niagara River Lions hosted the Fraser Valley Bandits in Canadian Elite Basketball League action Saturday night at Meridian Centre in St. Catharines.

Despite putting up their lowest point total of the season, the River Lions were able to win their third game in a row and remain undefeated at home, thanks to a defence that set a team record for fewest points allowed in a game.

Guillaume Boucard had a double-double — 20 points, 11 rebounds — and fellow starters Trae Bell-Haynes, Nem Mitrovic, each with 14; and Dorian Pinson, 11; also scored in double digits as Niagara improved to a league-leading 12-3 with five games remaining in the spring-summer pro league's inaugural season.

Fraser Valley fell to 0-3 versus Niagara and 4-11 overall.

The River Lions out-rebounded their visitors from Abbotsford, B.C., 38-35 and outscored them 28-18 in points coming off a fast break.

Niagara shot 51 per cent from the floor, 33-for-74; 32 per cent from beyond the three-point arc, 8-for-25; and 60 per cent from the free-throw line, 6-for-10. Fraser Valley finished the game 17-for-57 from the floor, 29 per cent; 8-for-20, three-pointers, 40 per cent; and 13-for-19, free throws, 68 per cent.

This week the River Lions are scheduled to play on back-to-back nights. They host the Edmonton Stingers in a 7 p.m. tipoff Friday and visit the Guelph Nighthawks on Saturday, also starting at 7 p.m.

Niagara is 1-2 against Edmonton and 2-0 versus Guelph.

The River Lions are already assured of competing in the final four taking place Aug. 22-25 in Saskatoon.

Billed as the "final chapter" in the story of the fledgling league's first season, Championship Weekend will have the top three teams with the best won-loss records and the host Saskatchewan Rattlers competing in a single-knockout tournament.

A semifinal doubleheader Saturday, Aug. 24, will be followed by the championship game a day later. All action takes place at the 15,100-seat SaskTel Centre.

Notes: Previous lows for points scored and points allowed were both set on June 21 in a 94-83 victory at home over Saskatchewan … The River Lions are 8-0 at home and 4-3 on the road … Former Brock University men's basketball head coach Charles Kissi is now coaching the Guelph Nighthawks.

Bernd.Franke@niagaradailies.com

905-225-1624 | @TribSportsDesk

Bernd Franke | July 21, 2019 | The St. Catharines Standard