Niagara storms back late to steal victory, Rattlers fall to 0-3 on season

The Saskatchewan Rattlers found themselves in another close game but found themselves on the wrong side once again with the Niagara River Lions clawing back in Target Time to an 88-86 victory. The game was another strong showing for the Rattlers, only losing by two points, compared to four and 40 the previous two games. Nate Pierre-Louis led the way with 25 points for Saskatchewan, the most between both teams, while also adding seven assists.

Saskatchewan jumped to an early 15-13 lead in the first quarter before playing catch up, especially in the second quarter when Niagara grabbed a 35-25 lead, the first 10-point lead of the night. Saskatchewan would pull within one point on three different occasions but was unsuccessful in pulling in front. Ahmed Hill went to the line late in the quarter to extend Niagara’s lead to 45-43, but Nate Pierre-Louis drove in for a game-tying layup in the dying seconds to end the first half 45-45. Jamir Chaplin led Saskatchewan with 14 points at the half as Saskatchewan entered halftime not trailing in the game for the first time this season, which would pay off massively in the third.

Grant Anticevich had his best game in a Rattlers uniform, and his third quarter opening layup gave Saskatchewan a 47-45 lead, their first since there were five minutes left in the opening quarter. Jaiden Bediako was a welcome addition to the Rattlers lineup, helping Saskatchewan extend their lead to six points before Pierre-Louis’ three-pointer gave Saskatchewan their first 10-point lead of the night. Anticeivich drained another three-pointer extending the Rattlers lead to a game-high 13-points. Niagara would slowly begin to claw their way back, cutting the Rattler lead to only seven, now 68-61 after three. Saskatchewan got back on track with back-to-back three-pointers with Elijah Lufile putting up eight points for Niagara to cut Saskatchewan’s lead to four, up 78-74 at Target Score.

Needing 87 points to win, the race was on as Niagara quickly grabbed an 82-80 lead, their first of the second half. Jamir Chaplin gave Saskatchewan a one-point lead and Isacc Simon drained a deep three, putting the Snakes within one point of victory. Ahmed Hill tied the game for Niagara, and Saskatchewan was within seconds of a win, but the layup from Jamir Chaplin was waved off due to a time clock violation. Back the other way marched Niagara and Ron Curry drove home the dagger, completing the comeback and giving the River Lions an 88-86 victory.

Saskatchewan will look to take another step with their first three-game road trip of the season, beginning on Thursday, May 29th in Scarborough against the Shooting Stars. Below is audio from postgame media scrums with Head Coach Eric Magdanz, plus official game stats courtesy the C-E-B-L…

Postgame Media Scrum with Head Coach Eric Magdanz: