Sea Bears feast on River Lions

It was a magical night at Canada Life Centre — both as the theme night, and for the roaring crowd of 6,700. Fans had much to cheer about as the Sea Bears recorded the third win of the season, downing the Niagara River Lions 97-71.

The club remains unbeaten at home so far this season.

From the tip-off, the Sea Bears’ physicality seemed to overwhelm the defending CEBL champions, earning five steals and holding the River Lions to under 30 per cent from the field in the first quarter.

Winnipeg recorded 38 points in the opening frame, shooting 58.3 per cent the field. Teddy Allen’s three first quarter assists led a total of nine for the Sea Bears, who recorded nine points off of turnovers.

A three-pointer from Winnipeg’s own Simon Hildebrandt opened the first quarter, with the hometown club boasting a 10-point lead minutes in. But the visitors responded with a 6-0 run to narrow the lead to four by the end of the first frame.

Niagara’s momentum was soon erased in the second quarter, as Winnipeg’s offence continued to produce. Armani Chaney was nearly unstoppable, draining four of five threes in the first half. Chaney went on to make five-of-seven from beyond the arc on the night.

Winnipeg paired a physical first half with a fast transition game, recording 13 points on the fast break to Niagara’s zero. Allen’s 11 first-half points led the team, while former Manitoba Bison Hildebrandt led the team with four rebounds.

Niagara’s Donald Carey Jr. and Keonte Kennedy were a bright point for Niagara in the first half, each recording 10 points as the Sea Bears went into halftime with a 53-39 lead.

Winnipeg consistent play continued in the second half, leading by as much as 23 in the third quarter. After recording 20 points in the paint through the first half, the Sea Bears tacked on 16 more in the third quarter, including back-to-back three-point plays from Allen, whose 25 points led both teams through three quarters.

Kildonan East Reivers alumni and Sea Bears captain Emmanuel Akot led the team with five rebounds heading into the fourth quarter, while Chaney stayed hot from behind the arc, converting three-of-four three-point shots.

Niagara’s bench recorded 23 points in response that included a game-high 14 combined fouls. After three, the Sea Bears led Niagara 80-64.

The fourth quarter featured more of the same from both ends as the crowd at Canada Life Centre continued to roar. Akot’s game winning basket was the exclamation point in gritty Sea Bears performance that featured 40 totals points in the paint, 24 fast break points, and 24 points off of 12 team steals. Allen tied his career high with six steals on the night.

Winnipeg outscored Niagara 17-7 in the final quarter, including a 7-2 run during Target Score time, rolling to the 26 point win over the River Lions.

With Friday’s win, Winnipeg improves to 3-1 to sit atop the CEBL’s Western Conference. The Sea Bears travel to Bramptom Monday to take on the unbeaten Honey Badgers. The game tips off at 6:30 p.m. (CBC Gem).

winnipegfreepress.com/benlittle