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 their third win of the season, downing the Niagara River Lions 97-71.

The club remains unbeaten at home this season.

A three-pointer from Winnipeg’s own Simon Hildebrandt opened the first quarter.

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 shooting from the field in the first quarter.

The hometown club boasted 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.

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

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

Chaney — who calls himself the “old head” on the team — said the home-court advantage is real here.

“You feel the energy from the crowd, it’s electricity through your veins,” he said. “It’s definitely big, I think it helps us.”

Winnipeg paired a physical first half with a quick 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 Sea Bears 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’s consistent play continued in the second half, leading by as much as 23 in the third quarter. After scoring 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 way 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 a 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 points in the paint, 24 fast break points and 24 points off of 12 team steals.

Allen tied his career high with six steals. Finding his stride in his return to Winnipeg, Allen said it comes down to his belief in himself.

“Just more experience,” he said. “Just trying to do what I’m capable of doing on the floor.”

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.

First-year Sea Bears head coach and general manager Mike Raimbault said though it’s early, he likes what he’s seen from the roster he’s helped build.

“So far, they’ve really bought in to the things we’re asking them to do,” he said. “It’s been a collective effort, so far so good,” he said with a smile.

Winnipeg improved 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).

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