River Lions win ugly

The Niagara River Lions’ run of three straight blow-out wins in Canadian Elite Basketball League action came to an end Thursday night against the visiting Montreal Alliance.

After winning its last three games over Calgary, Ottawa and Scarborough by an average margin of 21.7 points, Niagara (11-5) was life and death to defeat the last-place Alliance (4-11).

Ahead 74-72 heading into Elam ending time, the River Lions managed to prevail 83-77 on a fadeaway jumper by Kimbal Mackenzie.

“It was ugly and it was gritty but we found a way and that is the important thing when you are tested and you’re not playing well,” River Lions head coach/GM Victor Raso said. “It was an off-day energy wise that you win on and that was important. “

It was a struggle for Niagara from start to finish, including target time when the River Lions opened with back-to-back turnovers.

“It felt like we were fighting ourselves right from the start with our energy, the way we were rebounding and the pace we were going at. It was tough.”

Niagara was hindered by Khalil Ahmad not in the best of health after having dental surgery Wednesday morning.

“I give him credit for even playing and he probably shouldn’t even have played today,” Raso said. “He gutted it out even though he had a rough foul performance and fouled out of the game.”

Another issue was having recent acquisition Scottie (Lewis) in the lineup and “him playing 10 minutes and not knowing what the heck was going on out there. There were a lot of reasons for us to chalk up our first home loss but I will take it (the win). That is a great win and that might be our best win of the year.”

Mackenzie might have had his best game as a River Lion to help his team pull out the win.

“He was awesome,” Raso said. “Kimbal is a very good basketball player and he has been incredibly professional with this group. He has done every role given to him well. When he is asked to play 25 minutes a game he will do it for you. If he is asked to play three or zero he is great on the bench. I can’t speak highly enough of him. He is worth his weight in gold.”

In signing Lewis, a 6-foot-5 American forward, the River Lions became the last team in the CEBL to add a player during the regular season.

“I like to roll with the group that we have,” he said. “I like to do my homework beforehand and will only blow it up if I need to. I have never had to blow it up and I want to get lucky one time. We have never taken the team we have had during the year into the Final Four. I always lose someone to (NBA) Summer League, or injury, or overseas.”

The transaction deadline for the league is now passed and there can be no further signings unless an injury occurs that keeps a player out of the playoffs.

“I love this group and I think we can do the things necessary to win,” Raso said. “We have the proper size, shooting, decision making, matchups on the floor and when we are engaged we have proven to be very good.”

STATS PACK

River Lions 83 Alliance 77

BPSN Player of the Game: Niagara’s Kimbal Mackenzie with 15 points, five assists, strong defensive play and the game-winning basket.

For the Niagara River Lions: Jahvon Blair 21; Khalil Ahmad 19; Mackenzie 15; Aaryn Rai 10; Nathan Cayo 8.

For the Montreal Alliance: Curtis Hollis 23; Ahmed Hill 19; Elijah Ifejeh 14.

Game stats: Field goal percentage: Niagara 47.8, Montreal 42.9. Free throws: Niagara 9-12, Montreal 16-20. Rebounds: Niagara 35, Montreal 37. Turnovers: Niagara 16, Montreal 19.

Up next: Niagara hosts the Edmonton Stingers Sunday at 3 p.m.

Visit www.riverlions.ca/tickets for more information.