The Ottawa BlackJacks set a franchise record for margin of victory with an 101-50 win over the visiting Saskatchewan Rattlers. The BlackJacks move to 4-8 having won three of their past four games. The Rattlers fall to 7-6, losing their second game in a row.

The BlackJacks margin of victory also tied a league record and their 50 points allowed was a league record as well.

Saskatchewan point guard Tony Carr returned to the lineup after he missed the past two games. However, it was Ottawa point guard Walt Lemon Jr. attacking the paint early with two layups to make it 6-0. He added a floater under the basket to make it 11-3.

Most of the Rattlers’ shots didn’t fall in the first quarter, including from three where they shot one-for-eight. They did crash the glass with six offensive rebounds, leading to put ins.

Lemon Jr. continued to score off the dribble while also finding Kadre Gray for a three – his first points as a BlackJacks player this season.

Ottawa’s defence was strong. Gray also forced a jump ball turnover, grabbing the ball from Carr. Bernard Thompson scored a fast break layup after stealing the ball as Ottawa led 23-8 after one quarter.

Saskatchewan guard Sebastian Åris scored a long two-pointer to open the second quarter. However, the Ottawa lead grew after Chad Posthumus, Jackson Rowe and Deng Adel joined the scoring. Rowe intercepted a pass and dunked it on the other end as Ottawa led 40-13.

Carr led the Rattlers’ offence by getting inside and to the free throw line as his team made a run late in the second quarter. The BlackJacks shot 58 per cent in the first half while setting a franchise record by holding the Rattlers to 26 points.

Rattlers forward Jordy Tshimanga had a game-high eight rebounds at halftime and grabbed another two early in the third quarter. Thompson showed his offensive rebounding skills by grabbing one and scoring as the home team kept hold of their sizable lead.

Ottawa was also sharing the basketball as Adel dished to Posthumus for an open dunk. Åris and Ali Sow answered with back-to-back threes. The BlackJacks kept on scoring as their advantage increased to 83-39 after three quarters.

The home side kept their lead in the fourth quarter and Elam time as Lemon Jr. hit the game-winning free throw.

It was a complete team effort for Ottawa, shooting 53 per cent from the field and 40 per cent from three. They had 40 bench points as all the players scored points, led by Lemon Jr. (20) and Rowe (19). Posthumus posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Gray called it “very emotional” to be back with the BlackJacks. “I think we’ve got a special group,” he added. “There’s a lot that we can work on and get better but days like this when you win by 51, you just got to smile and be happy.”

Gray credited the team’s high energy from the start. “Part of our game plan was to share the ball more,” Rowe noted. “After our game in Hamilton, we were kind of trying to do one on one basketball so coach [James Derouin] made it important everybody touch the ball before we score.” The BlackJacks had 26 assists.

For the Rattlers, their shooting (27 per cent from field, 20 per cent from three) and turnovers (23 to Ottawa’s 11) stood out. They were also outscored 52-24 in the paint. Malik Benlevi had a team-high nine points while Tshimanga had a team-high 11 rebounds. They were missing leading scorer Scottie Lindsay this game.

“Ottawa played better than us,” Carr noted. “We turned the ball over. We gave them too many open shots.” He said the team has to put their energy on what they can control going forward – their effort, defensive intensity and sticking through adversity.

The BlackJacks look to continue their hot run when they host the Fraser Valley Bandits on July 8 while the Rattlers return to Newfoundland to face the Growlers on July 9.

All games will be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ and on CEBL Mobile the official app of the CEBL for iOS and Android devices. Games are also available to stream live in Canada via cbcsports.ca , the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices, and the free CBC Gem streaming service.

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