River Lions extend win streak to 4, defeat BlackJacks, Bandits beat Rattlers

The Niagara River Lions downed the Ottawa BlackJacks 89-79 with another win at the Meridian Centre, improving their home record to 6-1. 

Guillaume Payen-Boucard of Montréal, Que., paved the way for the River Lions, posting 16 points and adding 5 rebounds. Thomas Scrubb chipped in with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists, just short of a triple-double.

The River Lions just squeezed out the win, with the BlackJacks shooting 49 per cent from the field and connecting 10 of 28 times from beyond the arc.

Edmonton, home of the 2020 CEBL champion Edmonton Stingers, will host the 2021 CEBL Championship Weekend that kicks off Aug. 18.

Bandits beat Rattlers to end 5-game losing streak

Kenny Manigault scored 23 points to lead the Fraser Valley Bandits past the Saskatchewan Rattlers 85-79 in the penultimate CEBL regular season game on Sunday.

Alex Campbell added 18 points for Fraser Valley, including the last six with two decisive three-pointers. Devonte Bandoo had 25 to lead Saskatchewan.

Fraser Valley, fourth in the seven-team league, put an end to a five-game losing streak to improve to 6-7. Saskatchewan sits last in the standings and dropped to 1-12.

Both teams will face each other again on Tuesday to wrap up the CEBL regular season.

Fraser Valley will be back in action on Aug. 15 to take on the Guelph Nighthawks in the Championship Weekend quarter-finals.