The Hamilton Honey Badgers won their first-ever CEBL road game with a 102-88 triumph over the Fraser Valley Bandits.

The Bandits remain winless (0-3) while the Honey Badgers improve to 2-2.

The opening quarter looked promising for the home side as they got to a quick start with a 23- 14 lead as Dallin Bachynski put in a layup. However, the Honey Badgers would bounce back with a Justin Edwards three and a Joe Rocca layup. Nevertheless, the Bandits would take a 26-21 lead after one quarter.

The Bandits started the second quarter equally as strong as the first as former national team forward Levon Kendall hit a jumper in his CEBL debut while Tyrrel Tate scored as well to make a 4-0 run. It was also Kendall’s first professional game in five years. However, Hamilton would stay close as the game went back-and-forth at a quick pace. The teams were locked in a close game by halftime with Hamilton up 46-44.

Edwards had 20 points alone in the first half, capping it off with a buzzer-beating three just before halftime.

The game would open up for Hamilton in the third as they locked in on defence. Ricky Tarrant Jr. scored on a variety of layups and drives to the basket. Meanwhile, Hamilton stayed strong defensively as Fraser Valley missed shots. This allowed the Honey Badgers to extend the lead further and further.

Tarrant Jr. hit a three late in the quarter to make it 72-54, part of his 19 second half points. Hamilton’s relentless offence continued in the fourth quarter as former Carleton Raven Ryan Ejim rebounded a miss three by former Carleton teammate Rocca and scored. It was part of his 16 second half points.

Fraser Valley would battle back with a flurry of three as captain Roland Pryor, Troy Gottselig and Anton Gill all connected from downtown. They cut it down to 13 with four minutes remaining.

However, their last push fell short as Hamilton had another response offensively. This was highlighted by Tarrant Jr. made a step back move on Joel Friesen and nailed a three. With Fraser Valley pushing late, Edwards hit his first bucket of the second half with a jumper and Mike Fraser dunked it to seal the victory.

The Honey Badgers return home to face off against the Bandits in a rematch on May 29 as the Bandits look to snap their losing run.

By Michael Sun