The Hamilton Honey Badgers prevailed 106-99 in a thrilling home overtime rematch with the Fraser Valley Bandits. The Honey Badgers move to 3-2 while the Bandits remain the only winless team in league at 0-4.

The game started close, much like last time, with the Honey Badgers and Bandits going back and forth. Justin Edwards nailed a three to open the scoring before Levon Kendall answered for the visitors with a jumper.

Edwards kept up his hot three point scoring with another one to make it 7-6 and Ryan Ejim dunked it to extend the lead to 11-6 for Hamilton. Edwards struck from beyond the arc once again to push it to 14-6 but the Bandits would have an answer. Kendall continued his strong game while Anton Gill made a three ball of his own.

By the end of the first, the Honey Badgers were up 25-20.

Similar to their first meeting, the Honey Badgers heated up as the game wore on. The three-point barrage continued as Demetrius Denzel-Dyson connected on two in a row. UBC Thunderbird Grant Shepard made his impact for Fraser Valley with a dunk. First overall pick and captain Joel Friesen also chipped in on both ends but the home side took a 48-35 edge into the break, with Denzel-Dyson, Ricky Tarrant Jr. and Edwards all hitting double figures in first-half points.

The Bandits capitalized on transition with a layup by Rodney Pryor and added a three soon after to start the third quarter. Ejim was also hot after the break with five quick points. Denzel-Dyson got open for another three as both sides traded points. His fourth three came from the top of the key to make it 59-47.

Fraser Valley countered with ball movement of their own, finding Tyrrell Tate open for a three. Bandits guard Marek Klassan – making his league debut - made a layup in transition and found Tate for a three to cut the gap to four. Tate hit another three to cut it to two as part of a 10-2 run. The Honey Badgers made a late push to lead 70-63 after three quarters.

The offence slowed down as the final quarter started with the game close throughout before Adam Presutti hit two three throws and Ejim scored in transition to put Hamilton up six with under four minutes left. Tate answered with a three to keep Fraser Valley close. Tate struck again from deep to tie it at 84.

Denzel-Dyson made the most clutch three of the night with a catch and shoot deep ball to put the home side up 89-87. The Honey Badgers defence dug in, forcing the Bandits into a crucial shot clock violation with 30 seconds remaining. However, the Bandits forced a defensive stop of their own as Tate finished a layup to tie it and force overtime.

The Bandits were dealt with a blow as Klassen fouled out early in the extra frame. Denzel-Dyson hit his seventh triple to give his team a lead. The lead would open up a bit as the overtime went on but Fraser Valley fought back again.

Tarrant Jr. finished a layup and hit the ensuing free throw. The guard then navigated into the lane and scored a floater to put Hamilton up five, sealing the victory.

The Bandits have a quick turnaround with another Eastern road game against the Niagara River Lions on May 31. Meanwhile, the Honey Badgers continue their home stand with a game against the Guelph Nighthawks on June 5.

By Michael Sun