The Saskatchewan Rattlers started off Saturday night on the wrong foot, finding themselves in a deep hole going into the second half. The Rattlers were down by 19 going into the third, and at one point down 23 points in the third quarter. That wouldn’t matter as they would mount a remarkable comeback where they took the lead by one going into Target Score, 87-86 and would complete the game and the comeback 96-90.
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Both teams had opportunities to score first but it was finally Chris Smith draining a three-pointer for Montreal to grab an early lead. Elijah Harkless would battle past some defenders to get the Rattlers first points of the game and continue a back and forth pace. Jalen Harris would have the games first free throws going two-for-two followed by Grant Basile, who continued his strong start to the season, drained the first three-pointer for the Rattlers. Cody John and Elijah Harkless would go two-for-two on free throws after to give the Rattlers a 15-14 lead late in the first, which would be their last lead in the first half. Montreal was perfect on their first free throws of the game, including a Jordan Bowden three-pointer to pull Montreal ahead 23-17 after the first.
The second quarter started off strong for Saskatchewan with Jalen Harris powering through for a layup and Maurice Calloo draining a three-pointer making it a 23-22 Montreal game, the closest Saskatchewan came to tying it. Jordan Bowden was the best player on the court for the first half and his second quarter solidified it. Bowden would drain another two three-pointers with Elijah Ifejeh slamming down a rebound in between. Saskatchewan called a timeout with Montreal leading 33-27, hoping to spark some offence. Montreal scored on a layup after with Grant Basile powering his way through for a layup followed by Maurice Calloo draining a three-pointer after holding off a strong push from Montreal. Jordan Bowden would fight his way through for two more layups to add onto their lead and Ahmed Hill drained his first three-pointer of the night making it 46-34 Montreal. Emmanuel Bandoumel drained an important three-pointer late in the second, but Ahmed Hill would wait out the clock to grab two more points and Jordan Bowden would pick off a Rattler ball and add onto the lead to end the second quarter 56-37 Montreal.
The switch was flipped during the second half, even with Montreal entering the third with a 19-point lead. They would add to it early before Grant Basile drained both free throws and a three-pointer, trying to cut the deficit but Jordan Bowden drained yet another three-pointer. Montreal would eventually grab a 23-point lead in the third quarter, but the Rattlers were far from done. Elijah Harkless powered his way through for a layup, and Jalen Harris would do the same thing on three different occasions, getting an extra free throw on two of them. Harris would drain a two three-pointers followed by Grant Basile draining another, making it a 79-69 Montreal game going into the fourth and final quarter.
The fourth quarter saw Saskatchewan outscore Montreal 27-11 on route to the victory, that included Grant Basile powering his way in for an easy layup and going two-for-two on free throws later on. Anthony Tsegakele scored an important three-pointer which was quickly responded by Jordan Bowden and Montreal to make it 86-76 Montreal. Cody John was inserted to the game and scored on a layup followed by a three-pointer, making it 86-81. Maurice Calloo scored a three and Elijah Harkless went two-for-two on free throws to retake the lead for the first time since early in the first and made it to Target Score leading by one. Montreal would take a 90-88 lead, but Jalen Harris would get another chance from the free throw line going perfect to tie the game. Grant Basile drove in a layup and Harkless went perfect from the free throw line again giving Saskatchewan a 94-90 lead. The Rattlers defense would shutdown Montreal and force a turnover that would lead to the game-winning layup from Jalen Harris to give Saskatchewan an incredible 96-90 victory and improve to 2-and-0 on the season.
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Media Scrum with Rattlers Head Coach Larry Abney:
Media Scrum with Rattlers Forward Grant Basile:
GAME STATS – TEAM (Courtesy of C-E-B-L)
Field Goal: SSK 31/63 (49%) MTL 34/67 (50%)
2-Points Made: SSK 18/34 (52%) MTL 23/40 (57%)
3-Points Made: SSK 13/29 (44%) MTL 11/27 (40%)
Free Throws: SSK 21/26 (80%) MTL 11/14 (78%)
Total Rebounds: SSK 34 MTL 35
Assists: SSK 14 MTL 17
Steals: SSK 5 MTL 5
Blocks: SSK 1 MTL 1
Turnovers: SSK 15 MTL 14
Personal Fouls: SSK 14 (22) MTL 22 (14)
Points in the Paint: SSK 32 MTL 44
Second Chance Points: SSK 11 MTL 16
Points from Turnovers: SSK 14 MTL 29
GAME STATS – PLAYER (Courtesy of C-E-B-L)
Jalen Harris (31 Points, 5 Assists, 1 Steal)
Grant Basile (27 Points, 6 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 1 Block)
Elijah Harkless (12 Points, 4 Rebounds, 3 Assists)
Maurice Calloo (5 Rebounds)
Cody John (1 Steal)
Anthony Tsegakele (1 Steal)
NEXT GAME: vs. Vancouver Bandits (1-0) on Thursday, May 30th @ 7:30 p.m.
