Still reaching for the top, the Niagara River Lions (13-5), travel to Abbotsford, British Columbia on Thursday night to face the Fraser Valley Bandits (4-14).
The River Lions are guaranteed to finish in the top two of the regular season standings and have earned their trip to CEBL Championship Weekend from August 22-25. Sitting a half-game behind league-leading Edmonton in the race for first place, Niagara must win their remaining two games and hope for some help from Stingers’ opponents in order to complete the inaugural campaign ahead of the pack. Edmonton owns the head-to-head series against the River Lions, 3-1, therefore Niagara cannot settle for a tie in the standings.
(Tickets available at TicketMaster. Watch via CEBL TV or the CBC Gem App ).
The River Lions are perfect 3-0 against Fraser Valley this season, but they had to work hard for their last victory. Niagara required a 10-2 run late in the game to hold off the Bandits 80-71 at Meridian Centre on July 20. The 80 points marked the lowest scoring production this season for the River Lions, who have averaged 100.1 points throughout the 2019 campaign.
The game in Abbotsford will feature the league’s best ball distributor against the highest scoring long-range shooter. Local guard Marek Klassen leads all players in the CEBL, averaging 7.3 assists per game, while American forward Ryan Anderson has made a league-high 58 triples this season. Anderson was held to just five points (one triple) in 22 minutes of play during the River Lions’ last game against Fraser Valley, while Klassen was not in the lineup for his Bandits.
With Fraser Valley closing out its season at home against Niagara and Edmonton, the Bandits can still play a major role in helping shape out the playoff scenario unfolds, even if they are not participating in the final dance.
Tip-off is 7PM PT/ 10PM ET.
May 31, 2019 at Niagara: Niagara 108, Fraser Valley 87
Leading scorers: Fraser Valley (T. Tate, 17), Niagara (N. Mitrovic, 20)
Leading rebounders: Fraser Valley (T. Tate, 11), Niagara (G. Payen-Boucard, 7)
July 11, 2019 at Abbotsford: Niagara 104, Fraser Valley 94
Leading scorers: Fraser Valley (M. Klassen, 23), Niagara (G. Payen-Boucard, 25)
Leading rebounders: Fraser Valley (L. Kendall, 7), Niagara (G. Payen-Boucard, 10)
July 20, 2019 at Niagara: Niagara 80, Fraser Valley 71
Leading scorers: Fraser Valley (J. Kendrick, 17), Niagara (G. Payen-Boucard, 20)
Leading rebounders: Fraser Valley (L. Kendall, 14), Niagara (G. Payen-Boucard, 11)