Round 17 (Regular Season): Calgary defeats leader Vancouver

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Bandits (15-5) in Calgary on Friday night. Visitors were edged by second ranked Surge (13-6) 98-96. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Bandits. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. 26 personal fouls committed by Vancouver helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Swingman Sean Miller-Moore (193-1998, college: GCU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 27 points and 8 rebounds. American forward Greg Brown III (201-2001, college: Texas) contributed with 23 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Australian swingman Mitch Creek (196-1992) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for Vancouver. Bandits' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Surge have a solid series of four victories in a row. Calgary maintains second place with 13-6 record having just three points less than leader Niagara. Vancouver at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. Calgary are looking forward to face Ottawa (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Vancouver will play against Edmonton and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Fifth-ranked Honey Badgers (5-16) used its home court advantage to challenge first ranked River Lions (14-5) in Hamilton. The visitors from Niagara managed to secure only two-point victory 86-84. However their fans expected much easier game. American players dominated the game. Ahmed Hill (196-1995, college: Virginia Tech) stepped up and scored 26 points for the winners and Khalil Ahmad chipped in 22 points. River Lions' coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (190-1996, college: MSU) responded with 28 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). River Lions have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Niagara maintains first place with 14-5 record. Brampton at the other side keeps the fifth position with 16 games lost. Niagara will play against Ottawa (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Brampton will play against Montreal and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Calgary between Sea Bears and Surge. Fourth ranked Sea Bears (8-11) got a very close victory on the road over second-ranked Surge (13-6). Sea Bears managed to escape with a 1-point win 79-78 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Surge. Simi Shittu nailed a double-double by scoring 28 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side. Sea Bears' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Greg Brown III came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 17 rebounds for Calgary in the defeat. Winnipeg maintains fourth place with 8-11 record. Loser Surge keeps the second position with six games lost. Winnipeg will meet at home Saskatchewan (#5) in the next round. Calgary will play against Ottawa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 17: Edmonton beat Winnipeg on the road 95-92. Ottawa lost to Saskatchewan on its own court 96-97. Scarborough managed to outperform Montreal in Toronto 94-89.



Winnipeg - Edmonton 92-95

The game between closely ranked teams ended with third ranked Stingers' (12-7) road victory over 4th placed Sea Bears (8-11) in Winnipeg 95-92 on Friday. Edmonton looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American swingman Scottie Lindsey (196-1996, college: Northwestern) nailed 26 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import guard Sean East II (190-1999, college: Missouri) accounted for 19 points and 5 assists. Stingers' coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American forward Tre Scott (203-1996, college: Cincinnati) came up with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds and center Simi Shittu (208-1999, college: Vanderbilt) added 18 points and 12 rebounds respectively for Winnipeg in the defeat. Four Winnipeg players scored in double figures. Edmonton maintains third place with 12-7 record having four points less than leader Niagara. Loser Sea Bears keeps the fourth position with 11 games lost. Edmonton will meet at home league's leader Vancouver in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Winnipeg will play against Saskatchewan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Winnipeg: T.Scott 25+10reb, S.Shittu 18+12reb+1ast, W.Richardson 18+3reb+4ast, E.Akot 15+7reb+2ast, J.Harris 7+3reb+4ast, J.Tshimanga 5+1reb
Edmonton: S.Lindsey 26+9reb+3ast, K.Ambrose-Hylton 19+6reb+1ast, S.East II 19+2reb+5ast, C.Smith 7+5reb, M.Bourcier 6+5reb+3ast, N.Hornsby 6+9reb+5ast

Calgary - Vancouver 98-96

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Bandits (15-5) in Calgary on Friday night. Visitors were edged by second ranked Surge (13-6) 98-96. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Bandits. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. 26 personal fouls committed by Vancouver helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Swingman Sean Miller-Moore (193-1998, college: GCU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 27 points and 8 rebounds. American forward Greg Brown III (201-2001, college: Texas) contributed with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Four Surge players scored in double figures. Australian swingman Mitch Creek (196-1992) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Tyrese Samuel (208-2000, college: Florida) added 26 points and 7 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field) in the effort for Vancouver. Bandits' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Surge have a solid series of four victories in a row. Calgary maintains second place with 13-6 record having just three points less than leader Niagara. Vancouver at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. Calgary are looking forward to face Ottawa (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Vancouver will play against Edmonton and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Vancouver: T.Samuel 26+7reb+3ast, M.Creek 25+13reb+4ast, K.Mangas 12+2reb+1ast, D.Notice 8+3reb+3ast, Z.Copeland 8+7reb+4ast, C.Davis 8+3reb+4ast
Calgary: S.Miller-Moore 27+8reb+1ast, G.Brown III 23+10reb+1ast, J.Nelson Jr. 21+6reb+6ast, E.Gilyard II 12+2reb+4ast, J.Brown-Ferguson 8+4reb, K.Thomas 5+4reb

Ottawa - Saskatchewan 96-97

There was a minor upset when 3rd placed Blackjacks (8-10) were edged by fifth ranked Rattlers (5-14) in Ottawa 97-96 on Saturday. Saskatchewan looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Center Jaden Bediako (208-2000, college: Seton Hall) nailed a double-double by scoring 23 points and 20 rebounds for the winning side and guard Devonte Bandoo (190-1996, college: Baylor) accounted for 24 points. American forward Isaih Moore (208-2000, college: Fresno St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds and Sudanese-Australian forward Deng Adel (201-1997, college: Louisville) added 16 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists respectively for Ottawa in the defeat. Five Ottawa players scored in double figures. Saskatchewan maintains fifth place with 5-14 record. Loser Blackjacks keeps the third position with ten games lost. Saskatchewan will meet higher ranked Winnipeg (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ottawa will play against the league's second-placed Calgary and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ottawa: J.Smart 22+3reb+4ast, I.Moore 22+13reb+2ast, D.Adel 16+6reb+8ast, T.Tate 11+1reb+3ast, K.Veinot 11+2reb+5ast, J.Jackson 8+2reb+1ast
Saskatchewan: D.Bandoo 24+4reb+3ast, J.Bediako 23+20reb+1ast, T.Jones 21+6reb+2ast, N.Pierre-Louis 9+4reb+12ast, G.Anticevich 9+4reb+1ast, J.Bowden 8+1reb+3ast

Brampton - Niagara 84-86

Fifth-ranked Honey Badgers (5-16) used its home court advantage to challenge first ranked River Lions (14-5) in Hamilton. The visitors from Niagara managed to secure only two-point victory 86-84. However their fans expected much easier game. Niagara made 20-of-25 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. American players dominated the game. Ahmed Hill (196-1995, college: Virginia Tech) stepped up and scored 26 points for the winners and guard Khalil Ahmad (191-1996, college: CS Fullerton, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 22 points. River Lions' coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (190-1996, college: MSU) responded with 28 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and Bryson Williams (203-1998, college: Texas Tech) scored 8 points and 11 rebounds. River Lions have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Niagara maintains first place with 14-5 record. Brampton at the other side keeps the fifth position with 16 games lost. Niagara will play against Ottawa (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Brampton will play against Montreal and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Brampton: Q.Weatherspoon 28+4reb+3ast, A.Sow 12+2reb+1ast, K.McEwen 10+2reb+3ast, B.Williams 8+11reb+2ast, Y.Obeng-Mensah 8+5reb+1ast, W.Panzo 8+5reb+1ast
Niagara: A.Hill 26+4reb+3ast, K.Ahmad 22+3reb+1ast, E.Ekiyor 10+8reb+3ast, N.Cayo 9+8reb+5ast, E.Lufile 8+4reb, G.Payen-Boucard 4+1reb+1ast

Montreal - Scarborough 89-94

Rather predictable result when second ranked Shooting Stars (9-10) won against 4th placed Alliance (7-12) in Montreal 94-89 on Sunday. Scarborough made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. American guard Terquavion Smith (193-2002, college: NC State) nailed 21 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import guard Donovan Williams (198-2001, college: UNLV) accounted for 24 points. Five Shooting Stars players scored in double figures. American point guard Tavian Dunn-Martin (173-1998, college: FGCU) came up with 28 points and 8 assists and Ivorian-Canadian forward Quincy Guerrier (203-1999, college: Illinois) added 26 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Montreal in the defeat. Alliance's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Scarborough maintains second place with 9-10 record having seven points less than leader Niagara. Loser Alliance keeps the fourth position with 12 games lost. Scarborough will meet at home league's second-placed Calgary in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Montreal will play against Brampton and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Montreal: T.Dunn-Martin 28+2reb+8ast, Q.Guerrier 26+5reb+1ast, A.Mohamed 9+7reb+1ast, M.Diggins 7+5reb+2ast, T.Smith 6+1reb+4ast, B.Porter 5+4reb
Scarborough: D.Williams 24+1reb+1ast, T.Smith 21+8reb+9ast, M.Foster Jr. 12+8reb, A.Best 11+12reb+3ast, J.Campbell 11+1reb+1ast, A.Walker 7+1reb+1ast

Calgary - Winnipeg 78-79

A very close game took place in Calgary between Sea Bears and Surge. Fourth ranked Sea Bears (8-11) got a very close victory on the road over second-ranked Surge (13-6). Sea Bears managed to escape with a 1-point win 79-78 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Surge. Winnipeg forced 19 Calgary turnovers. Strangely Calgary outrebounded Winnipeg 47-34 including 37 on the defensive glass. Center Simi Shittu (208-1999, college: Vanderbilt) nailed a double-double by scoring 28 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and American Jalen Harris (196-1998, college: Nevada) accounted for 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Sea Bears' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American forward Greg Brown III (201-2001, college: Texas) came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 17 rebounds and the other American import point guard Evan Gilyard II (180-1998, college: UMKC, agency: JCK Sports Group) added 26 points (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) respectively for Calgary in the defeat. Winnipeg maintains fourth place with 8-11 record. Loser Surge keeps the second position with six games lost. Winnipeg will meet at home Saskatchewan (#5) in the next round. Calgary will play against Ottawa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Calgary: E.Gilyard II 26+1reb+3ast, G.Brown III 21+17reb+2ast, J.Nelson Jr. 14+4reb+5ast, S.Miller-Moore 8+3reb+1ast, J.Brown-Ferguson 6+6reb, O.Adelodun 3+3reb
Winnipeg: S.Shittu 28+15reb+4ast, J.Harris 14+5reb+5ast, E.Akot 13+3reb+6ast, T.Scott 9+4reb, W.Richardson 7+2ast, N.Bilamu 3+2reb