If you look at the CEBL standings, the Niagara River Lions (10-3) have sat atop the league during most of this inaugural campaign. Undefeated at home, league leaders in nearly every statistical category, Niagara has been a joy to watch. They share the ball, can shoot with success from everywhere beyond the arc and carry a confidence synonymous with being a winner. However, Thursday night’s game in Abbotsford will have all eyes on the home team, as the Fraser Valley Bandits (3-9) have suddenly become the talk of the CEBL.

(Tickets available at TicketMaster. Watch via CEBL TV or the CBC Gem App ).

After dropping the first nine games of the season, the Bandits have reeled off three consecutive victories, defeating Guelph, Hamilton, and Saskatchewan in dominant fashion by an average score of 14.3 points. Once lonely in the CEBL basement, Fraser Valley is tied for fifth with Guelph and has its sights set on climbing to a playoff spot.

Over these past three wins, the Bandits have played a tight defensive style of basketball. Opponents have averaged just 81.0 points, shooting .360 from the field and have been outscored by Fraser Valley in the paint by an average of 21.3 points. The Bandits have defeated the fifth, fourth and third place teams in the league, with a target now on Niagara.

The River Lions and Bandits have only met once this season, a 108-87 dominant performance by Niagara on May 31 at Meridian Centre. While past performances are generally good indicators of future performance, Fraser Valley has only four players remaining on the roster from that earlier defeat, including just two starters – Bandit’s top scorer Tyrrel Tate (15.3), and the league leader in assists, Marek Klassen (7.8 apg).

Niagara is an average 3-3 on the road this season including a pair of losses in Edmonton. They travel across the country for the first time to Abbotsford, where local fans have supported the Bandits throughout the early struggles and are now being rewarded with their first winning streak.

Fraser Valley and Niagara will meet twice more this season – July 20 at Niagara, and August 8 back in Abbotsford. A win Thursday night for the Bandits may turn the entire CEBL upside down and raise the level of intrigue even more for the second half of the season.

Who would have thought “first meets last” could be so much fun?

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

Fraser Valley (3-9) Niagara (10-3)

0-1            Head-to-Head         1-0
87               PPG           108
.410 (30-73)           FG%           .520 (39-75)
.280 (8-28) 3FG%          .420 (15-35)

.860 (19-22)           FT%           .780 (15-19)
40 (11-29)            REB           (OR-DR) 43 (9-34)
18               AST           27
16               TO            16
14              PTS off TO          16
22              BENCH PTS         49