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Sea Bears visit River Lions for second game of back-to-back

Zulfi Sheikh • June 6, 2024

The Winnipeg Sea Bears (3-1) continue a four-game road trip as they visit the Niagara River Lions (1-2) at the Meridian Centre on Thursday night.


Live coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. ET available on Game+ with streaming options on CEBL+ powered by
BetVictor, TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. 


It’ll be the first of two matchups for the cross-conference opponents and Winnipeg’s second game is an many days. The Sea Bears are the first team this year to go through a back-to-back as they enter the night following a nail-biter against the Brampton Honey Badgers on Wednesday.


Winnipeg rolled into the CAA Centre yesterday and withstood just about every punch thrown by Brampton as they came out with a 92-90 victory for a third consecutive win.


Had it not been for another heroic performance from Teddy Allen, however, things might’ve ended differently. The reigning league MVP finished the game with 30 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter, including a game-winning floater in Target Score Time. 


Allen is yet to score less than 27 points in a contest this year and through four games he leads the league in scoring, with his 34.5 points per game almost a full 10 points more than the second-leading scorer.


The import guard helped the Sea Bears overcome a game they nearly gave away thanks to a season-high 17 turnovers which gifted Honey Badgers nine extra points. An uncharacteristic showing from a team that entered the day averaging the fewest turnovers in the league.


On the other side, Niagara enters the night looking to bounce back from a 95-87 loss against the Scarborough Shooting Stars in what was billed as a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Final.


The River Lions had their quietest offence showing of the year as they were held to a season-low in scoring and coughed up the ball a season-high 16 times. Niagara wasn’t able to keep up with Scarborough’s fire power for the entirely of the contest and it ended up costing them.


After a strong start, making seven threes on better than 50 per cent shooting, the River Lions’ well completely dried up. They made just four triples the rest of the way on a sub-30 per cent clip. By the end of the game, Scarborough canned three more triples, making all the difference in Niagara’s eight-point loss.


There were silver linings for the River Lions to build on however, as they got two standout performances that they’ll hope happen again. Jahvon Blair came off the bench and led the game in scoring, potting 22 points in 24 minutes of action. It was a season-high performance for the third-year CEBL guard and until 2022 league MVP Khalil Ahmad returns from his overseas season, it’s the type of output Niagara will need more of. 


Meanwhile, Elijah Lufile also had his best game of the year as he put up 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds against his former team. The 2023 champion will be equally necessary against Winnipeg as he’ll have to match up against two of the league’s premier forwards in Byron Mullens and Chad Posthumus.


Keys to victory

Three-point shooting: It sounds simple to say the team that hits more shots from beyond the arc is likely to win, but in this game, it could be a big swing factor. Neither team shoots with much efficiency from distance, in fact Winnipeg (31.1) and Niagara (31.5) rank second and third last when it comes to three-point conversion rate. 


Granted, the Sea Bears may shoot worse in terms of percentage, but they average about three more makes a contest. And with both squads likely neutralizing each other’s two-point production, those extra couple of makes could be game-changing.


Rebounding:
Despite the Sea Bears entering the matchup with more size in their lineup, the River Lions are statistically the better team on the glass. Niagara leads the CEBL, averaging 43.7 rebounds a game while ranking top two on both the offensive and defensive side. In their loss to the Shooting Stars, rebounding was one of the few advantages as they grabbed 17 offensive rebounds (+3) and earned 18 second-chance points as a result. 


And for what it’s worth, giving up extra possessions appears to be a trend for Winnipeg in tight ball games. Their lone loss and Wednesday’s two-point win are the only game’s where opponents have grabbed more offensive rebounds then them. Against Brampton they gave up 19 offensive rebounds (-4) for 15 second-chance points. 


2023 Season Series

If last year’s lone matchup is any indication, fans will be in for a treat. Winnipeg took their first-ever contest against Niagara by overcoming a 17-point deficit midway through the third quarter in what ended up as a three-point win.


Unsurprisingly, Allen led the way with a game-high 28 points to go with six rebounds, six assists and three steals as his Sea Bears came out with a 93-90 victory.



About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 10 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSNTSN+RDSGame+Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on InstagramTwitterTikTokLinkedInFacebook & YouTube.

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The Niagara River Lions announced today that Darren Peters, Founder and President of Peters Construction Group , has joined the team’s ownership group. His inclusion represents a significant step forward for the River Lions as they continue to build a top tier sports organization in the heart of the Niagara Region. A lifelong Fort Erie resident, Peters has made a lasting impact on the Niagara business and cultural landscape. His leadership at Peters Construction Group, which he has operated for over 20 years, has transformed the company from a small subcontracting business into a multi-division operation offering a range of specialized construction services. His extensive experience in business growth and community engagement will be instrumental in the River Lions’ continued success both on and off the court. “I’m proud to welcome Darren Peters to the River Lions ownership group,” said Richard Petko, Niagara River Lions Founder and Owner. “Darren’s deep ties to the Niagara community and his proven track record in driving growth make him the perfect fit. His passion for sports and commitment to our shared goals will be key as we continue our mission to become the best professional sports organization in Canada.” Peters has been involved in various business ventures and real estate partnerships over the years and previously owned a successful race team as both a driver and team owner. His experience in sports and competition, combined with his business acumen, makes him a valuable addition to the River Lions ownership team. “What interests me most about joining the group is, firstly, the fun and excitement of the games and the atmosphere in the arena,” said Peters. “Beyond that, I align strongly with the team’s vision of offering a superior product and fan experience while also being excellent corporate citizens through the River Lions’ efforts to support youth and the community. Sports and entertainment are key attractions for people and businesses looking to invest in Niagara, and I’m excited to be part of this journey.” Peters has long recognized the unifying power of sports, both as a player and spectator. Since its inception, Peters Construction Group has actively supported youth sports teams, and many of its company events focus on team-building through sports. “I have always enjoyed how sports bring people together, regardless of background or economic situation. That sense of connection and camaraderie is what makes sports so special,” he added. “I’m thrilled to officially welcome my good friend Darren Peters to the River Lions ownership group,” said Niagara River Lions Owner, Michael Skrtich. “Darren brings a wealth of experience and deep passion for sports, as well as a shared vision for growing this franchise. These are exciting times for the River Lions, and I couldn’t be happier to have him on board as we take the next steps together.” Peters first caught the basketball bug during the Toronto Raptors’ NBA Championship run and quickly became a fan of the sport. After attending River Lions games, he was impressed by the level of competition and the energy of the fanbase. Now, as an owner, he looks forward to contributing to the team’s long-term success. As the River Lions continue to aim high and build towards a future of sustained excellence, the addition of Darren Peters ensures the franchise is well-positioned to reach its full potential in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).  - CEBL - About the CEBL A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ , TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .
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