River Lions Halt Skid with Victory Over Scuffling Sea Bears
July 5, 2025
Myles Dichter
In the battle between struggling Niagara and Winnipeg, one team was assured of a get-right win.
The River Lions made sure it was them.
Niagara dispatched of the Sea Bears 93-82 on Friday at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, Ont., snapping its two-game skid and padding its lead atop the Eastern Conference.
Winnipeg, meanwhile, suffered its fourth consecutive loss. Niagara now sits at 8-5, while Winnipeg falls to 5-9.
“I mean, it was the bounceback that we needed,” River Lions head coach Victor Raso said. “I thought we played hard the entirety of the game. We played better basketball than we have been in the past, so that was a big step in the right direction.”
The River Lions controlled most of the game, leading by double digits much of the way, until the Sea Bears injected a scare with a fourth-quarter run that cut their deficit to five.
It was as close as they would get.
Niagara led 83-74 when the clock stopped for Target Score Time, which began explosively. After Jalen Harris hit a two-pointer to start the proceedings, the teams traded three-pointers on four straight possessions with Khalil Ahmad and Ron Curry hitting for Niagara, while Harris hit both for Winnipeg.
Shortly after, Ahmad reinforced yet again why he has become known as the Target Score King, splashing home a step-back three-pointer to seal the River Lions victory.
“it's all about continuity and putting together that game after game after game after game, so if we can stay continuous, then we'll be alright,” Ahmad said.
For Niagara, the long-awaited win came on the back of its defence.
The River Lions entered Friday’s action allowing the most points against per game in the league and having given up a combined 193 points in its two losses.
But on Friday, they held the Sea Bears to just 34 points in the middle two quarters and forced 19 total turnovers.
“We defended really well, especially for the first three quarters up in the game, really up until the points of the game where Jalen Harris started making shots, I thought we were defending quite well,” Raso said.
Ahmad led the way for Niagara with 26 points to go with four assists and three rebounds. He made nine of 17 field-goal attempts, and two of his three triples came during Target Score Time.
Elijah Lufile came off the bench for a near-double-double of 10 points and nine rebounds, while do-it-all guard Kimbal Mackenzie contributed 11 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Ahmed Hill, the CEBL’s all-time leading scorer, had 12 points to move within five of becoming the first player in league history to reach the 1,500-point plateau (including playoffs).
Ron Curry returned for the River Lions after a five-game absence, scoring eight points and dishing three assists.
But Ahmad also credited his team’s defence for the win.
“Defensive toughness, defensive intensity, just being together on defence because offence isn't really our problem. We just got to stay consistent defensively,” he said.
On the flip side, Winnipeg’s defence — which entered just one-tenth of a point better than Niagara per game and will exit with the dubious title of league’s worst defence — continued to struggle.
Niagara’s offence made 45 per cent of its three-point attempts and five different players scored in double digits.
Head coach Mike Taylor pinpointed focus as the reason for his team’s losing streak.
“We really had a spirited comeback, put ourselves in a good position, but there were too many possessions in the early part of the game where we kind of got in our own way. And it's been a theme at times. We've been inconsistent,” he said.
“And today that put us behind the eight ball to 19 turnovers. We've been a team that's taken care of the basketball really well all year. Unfortunately, today, we were a little bit disorganized.”
Sea Bears leading scorer Simi Shittu was ejected from the game early in the fourth quarter after picking up his fifth personal foul.
In his place, Winnipeg native Emmanuel Akot paced his squad with 22 points to go with six rebounds and two assists. Harris ended with 21 points after his Target Time splurge.
Akot said Winnipeg let Niagara build too big of an early lead, but he was happy with his team’s spirit to fight back.
“But at the end of the day, winning is what matters, and we just got to go back to the office and figure things out,” Akot said.
Canadian Olympian Dillon Brooks, who was recently traded from the NBA’s Houston Rockets to the Phoenix Suns, attended the game.
The River Lions led 28-24 after a fast-paced first quarter and extended their lead to 51-38 by halftime. They took a 73-58 advantage into the final frame.
But in the end, it was Ahmad — as per usual — coming up clutch when it mattered most, and Niagara was able to leave its home arena with a win.
Box Score
https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600635
Up Next
Niagara heads to Montreal to face the Alliance on Sunday, while Winnipeg wraps its three-game road trip in Saskatchewan against the Rattlers next Friday.
Next CEBL Action
The surging Ottawa BlackJacks visit the Rattlers in Saturday’s lone contest. For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games.
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The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that they have agreed to terms with forward Nathan Bilamu for the upcoming season. Bilamu (6-5; born August 7, 2000 in Hamilton, ON) returns to Winnipeg after a productive 2025 season with the Sea Bears in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). In his rookie professional season with Winnipeg, he appeared in 20 games and averaged 5.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, showing consistent effort and earning increased playing time as the season progressed. “We are excited to have Nate back as he builds on what he started here," said Head Coach and General Manager, Mike Raimbault. "Last summer he brought a tremendous commitment to the team, specifically a passion for winning that showed in his effort and willingness to do whatever it took to help this group.” Before joining Winnipeg, Bilamu enjoyed a standout university career at Lakehead University, where he emerged as a versatile two-way player. In his senior season (2024-25), Bilamu averaged 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He was named an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) First-Team All-Star and a U-SPORTS Second-Team All-Canadian. Following his time in the CEBL, Bilamu continued his professional career overseas with Esgueira Basket in Portugal’s Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol. Through early 2025-26 international competition, he has been a key rotation player, averaging around 12.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while logging significant minutes. The season ticket member renewal deadline is January 15, 2026. Fans can renew or purchase new season tickets at https://www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026 . ### About the Winnipeg Sea Bears The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman. More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .
One of the league’s most experienced operators steps into expanded role after guiding competitive success and community impact.
Partnership designed to elevate culture, community, and g ame day experience
The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that they have agreed to terms with point guard Xavier Moon for the 2026 season. Moon (6-2; Morehead State; born January 2, 1995, in Goodwater, AL) is a three-time Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Player of the Year and brings elite scoring, playmaking ability, and professional experience from international leagues, the CEBL, and the NBA. The Goodwater, Alabama native played two seasons at Northwest Florida State College, helping the program win the National Junior College Championship. He later transferred to Morehead State, where he played two seasons and averaged 16.0 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in his senior year, earning First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference honours. "I believe adding Xavier to our organization brings tremendous value both on and off the court. He’s a proven winner and someone who has shown he can excel in this league and at the NBA level,” said Winnipeg Sea Bears Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “He’s a true professional who understands the importance of our community and our fans, and we’re confident the impact he makes off the court will be just as significant as what he brings on it." Moon has spent time overseas, in North American pro leagues, and across multiple seasons in the CEBL. In 2021, he averaged a league-leading 23.1 points per game on his way to a third straight Player of the Year award and All-CEBL First Team recognition. That season included a 39-point performance, which stood as the CEBL single-game scoring record at the time. 2026 season tickets are now on sale starting at just $27 per game and can be purchased at www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026 . ### About the Winnipeg Sea Bears The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman. More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) are excited to announce John Ross as assistant general manager. John has spent the better part of the past two decades working in basketball, highlighted by over 14 years with the Portland Trail Blazers and more recently as an assistant coach with the Western Conference Champion Calgary Surge in 2025. With Portland, John worked as a video coordinator with both the coaching and scouting staff. He played a pivotal role in the organization's 2009-2011 stretch of playoff appearances, and also their rebuild starting with the draft acquisitions of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. This backcourt duo was the catalyst for eight consecutive playoff appearances between 2014-2021, including a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2019. “Basketball is one of my deepest passions, and I am very grateful to be able to continue my career in this game with the Honey Badgers,” said Ross. “I could not be more excited to work alongside Al [Whitley] and Jermaine [Anderson] to help put together a team that will not only excel on the court, but also in the Peel and Brampton community.” Since moving on from the Trail Blazers in 2022, John has expanded his work experience to both coaching, and teaching. As an assistant coach with the Calgary Surge in 2025, he helped lift the Surge to their second finals appearance in franchise history, after posting a 17-7 record on the season. In terms of teaching, John founded an organization called GET IN THE GAME 101, an educational resource designed to assist young adults in answering the question “What do I do to get a job in the NBA?”. Here, John provides his insights into what it takes to move your career into the biggest stage that basketball has to offer. You can follow his substack here to read more. Beyond basketball, John is a humanitarian, serving at-risk children for over a decade in Zimbabwe and making multiple visits to Ukraine to support refugee relief. “John’s high-level experience, combined with his understanding of what it means to help others, fits with what we are looking for in our organization,” said Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley. “We are excited to have John assist in leading our basketball operations staff going forward and are confident that he is going to help us in promoting selflessness and winning.” Season tickets for the 2026 Honey Badgers season are on sale now at honeybadgers.ca . Keep an eye out for the Honey Badgers staff and Hammer around the Brampton and Peel community throughout the offseason for potential prizes and giveaways! ### About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca .
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) are proud to announce Saud Juman as the team's new president. Saud is a highly experienced business leader and executive, bringing over two decades of expertise in scaling businesses, cultivating successful cultures, and leading high-performance teams. Notably, as the founder, president, and CEO of Policy Medical, he developed the first healthcare policy management software, which was adopted by more than 3000 U.S. hospitals. Saud successfully guided the company from its bootstrap beginnings for 18 years to a successful acquisition. Following his exit from the company in 2018, Saud channeled his leadership skills into professional basketball, where he served as the assistant coach & head of player development for the Niagara River Lions, contributing to the team's success both on and off the court during their 2025 CEBL Championship run. “Saud offers a unique combination of executive rigor, people-focused leadership, and extensive basketball knowledge, specializing in the creation of systems and cultures that deliver wins - in business and in the community,” said Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley. “We are incredibly excited and fortunate to welcome Saud to the Brampton Honey Badgers as the franchise embarks on a new chapter of basketball in the Peel Region and across Canada.” Furthermore, Saud’s commitment to basketball is matched by his dedication to positive community impact through his family’s foundation, which provides funding for youth grassroots programs. “It’s a new era for Honey Badger’s basketball and I am humbled to be a part of this exciting team,” said Juman. “I look forward to approaching this role with the discipline and commitment to winning on and off the court, while forging deep connections in Brampton and the Peel community.” Season tickets for the 2026 Honey Badgers season are on sale now at honeybadgers.ca . Keep an eye out for the Honey Badgers staff and Hammer around the Brampton and Peel community throughout the offseason for potential prizes and giveaways! ### About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca .
Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular has been named a recipient of a 2025 B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Annual Award, announced by the Government of B.C. on Tuesday. The annual awards celebrate people and organizations that demonstrate leadership in promoting multiculturalism, anti-racism and intercultural understanding. Nearly 50 people and organizations were nominated for 2025 awards, recognizing contributions to building inclusive communities. In addition to Kular, three people and one organization are also receiving the B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards for their exceptional efforts to fight racism and promote inclusion in British Columbia. “These award recipients exemplify the values of inclusion and respect that strengthen our province,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “Their leadership and creativity are inspiring. I am proud to honour their exceptional efforts to break down barriers, foster inclusion and build stronger, more equitable communities across British Columbia.” Kular was named a recipient of the “Breaking Barriers” award, which recognizes individuals and organizations for their work in tackling systemic or institutional racism and reducing barriers for marginalized communities. “It is an honour to receive this recognition from the Government of B.C . This award truly reflects the collective efforts of our entire organization,” said Kular. “Our team ownership group provides the leadership that empowers our organization to build and foster meaningful change. The Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation are committed to continue breaking barriers and connecting communities across B.C. through the sport of basketball.” Under Kular’s leadership in 2025, which saw him earn CEBL Executive of the Year honours for a league-record third time, the Vancouver Bandits led efforts in building inclusive communities through sports and partnerships with Indigenous organizations and diverse populations across the province. Through partnerships and initiatives through the Bandits Community Foundation , such as the Indigenous Basketball Collective , in collaboration with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I-SPARC) and the Junior All Native Tournament (JANT). Kular and the Bandits worked to address systemic barriers and foster meaningful engagement, particularly for individuals with intersecting identities and those in remote areas. “Advancing anti-racism and intercultural trust requires courage, collaboration and commitment,” said Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives. “These honourees demonstrate all three values through their actions every day. Their efforts to break down barriers and amplify marginalized voices are making a real difference in schools, workplaces and communities across B.C. I am deeply grateful for their leadership and inspired by the positive change they continue to drive.” The B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards are part of the government’s broader efforts to counter hate and racism by celebrating and empowering local, community-based advocates. Since launching in 2008, more than 60 individuals and organizations have been honoured. Other initiatives include: an anti-hate community support fund that supports marginalized and at-risk groups with funding for security equipment, graffiti removal and repairs to damaged property the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network that connects communities with the information, supports and training they need to respond to and prevent future incidents of racism and hate the B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants, which provide funding to support projects that tackle racial inequity and foster intercultural understanding throughout the province the Racist Incident Helpline, which partners with local organizations to connect people who have experienced racism with resources to help them heal
The Montreal Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicolas Lesage as Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the professional Montreal-based team in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience in professional sports, sponsorship, media, and major event operations, Lesage joins the organization at a pivotal time in its development. In his role as COO, Lesage will oversee day-to-day operations and help guide the Alliance’s strategic direction, strengthening the club’s internal structure and supporting the continued growth of professional basketball in Montreal. “I’m very happy to return to the sports world with an organization that’s rising fast,” said Nicolas Lesage. “Sports have always been part of my professional DNA, and I’m excited to help the Alliance establish its place in Montreal’s sports landscape.” A Proven Leader in Sports, Media, and Entertainment Over the course of his career, Lesage has held key leadership roles within major sports and cultural organizations, including the Montreal Alouettes, RDS/Bell Media, Groupe Juste pour rire (Groupe CH), Productions Podium, as well as communications and marketing roles at Cossette and Carat – Créativité Média, where he gained extensive experience in media strategy and integrated advertising solutions. His expertise includes building and integrating strategic and financial frameworks, directing sponsorship portfolios, developing operational infrastructures, and leading brand transformation initiatives. Among his notable achievements are the redevelopment of the Alouettes’ visual identity and the implementation of a sponsorship and marketing framework at Centre 21.02. A Shared Vision for the Future “Nicolas’s experience in professional sports, along with his expertise in sponsorships and media sales, made him the obvious choice for this role,” said Mark Weightman, Governor of the Montreal Alliance. “The success of our previous collaborations will allow us to be effective quickly, and I look forward to working with him again.” Lesage added “Mark and I share a clear vision for the future of the organization, and with strong support from ownership, I believe we can achieve our goals and have a meaningful impact on the community.” About Nicolas Lesage A respected leader in the Canadian sports and entertainment industry, Nicolas Lesage specializes in commercial strategy, partnership development, and operational leadership. He supports organizations through his consulting practice, NLPS, and has been actively involved in various community initiatives over the years, including the Montreal Alouettes Foundation, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie, and minor league baseball (LBAVR). ###
L’Alliance de Montréal annonce la nomination de Nicolas Lesage au poste de chef des opérations (COO) de l’équipe professionnelle montréalaise de la Ligue Élite Canadienne de Basketball (LECB). Fort de plus de 25 ans d’expérience à des postes de leadership dans le domaine du sport professionnel, des commandites, des médias et de l’événementiel, Lesage se joint à l’organisation à un moment charnière de son développement. À titre de COO, il supervisera les opérations quotidiennes et contribuera à orienter la stratégie globale de l’Alliance, tout en renforçant la structure interne du club afin de soutenir la croissance continue du basketball professionnel à Montréal. « Je suis très heureux de faire un retour dans le sport auprès d’une organisation en croissance », souligne Nicolas Lesage. « Le sport a toujours fait partie de mon ADN professionnel et je suis ravi d’aider l’Alliance à établir sa place dans le paysage sportif de Montréal. » Un leader reconnu dans le milieu sportif, médiatique et du divertissement Au cours de sa carrière, Lesage a occupé des rôles clés au sein d’importantes organisations sportives et culturelles, notamment les Alouettes de Montréal, RDS/Bell Média, le Groupe Juste pour rire (Groupe CH), Productions Podium, ainsi que dans le secteur des communications et du marketing au sein de Cossette et Carat - Créativité Média, où il a acquis une vaste expérience en stratégie média et en solutions publicitaires intégrées. Son expertise couvre l’élaboration de structures stratégiques et financières, la direction de portefeuilles de commandites, le développement d’infrastructures opérationnelles et la gestion de transformations de marque. Parmi ses réalisations notables figurent la refonte de l’identité visuelle des Alouettes et la mise en place d’une structure de marketing et de commandite au Centre 21.02. Une vision commune pour l’avenir « L’expérience de Nicolas dans le sport professionnel, ainsi que son expertise en commandites et en ventes médiatiques, en fait le choix évident pour ce rôle », a déclaré Mark Weightman, gouverneur de l’Alliance de Montréal. « De plus, le succès de nos collaborations antérieures nous permettra d’être efficaces rapidement, et je me réjouis de travailler à nouveau avec lui. » Lesage ajoute : « Mark et moi partageons une vision claire et ambitieuse de l’orientation que nous souhaitons donner à l’organisation et, avec le soutien des propriétaires, nous sommes convaincus que nous pouvons atteindre nos objectifs et avoir un impact significatif sur la communauté. » À propos de Nicolas Lesage Leader respecté dans l’industrie canadienne du sport et du divertissement, Nicolas Lesage se spécialise en stratégie commerciale, développement de partenariats et direction opérationnelle. Il appuie diverses organisations par l’entremise de sa pratique de consultation, NLPS, et s’est impliqué au fil des années dans plusieurs initiatives communautaires, notamment la Fondation des Alouettes de Montréal, la Fondation des maladies du cœur et de l’AVC, le Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie et le baseball de ligue mineure (LBAVR). ###
The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that Rhéanne Marcoux will be joining the organization as Chief Brand and Experience Officer, effective January 1, 2026. An alum of Red River College and the University of Winnipeg, Rhéanne has had a progressive and distinguished career in broadcast journalism, sports marketing and as an entrepreneur with her own creative agency. She’s worked with Radio Canada, True North Sports and Entertainment and has spent the past 11 years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, most recently as Vice President Marketing and Communications for the 112th Grey Cup. In this newly created executive role, Rhéanne will be responsible for leading the Sea Bears’ overall brand strategy, fan and guest experience, marketing, and community engagement. She will oversee the development of integrated campaigns, in-venue and digital experiences, and partnerships that deepen the connection between the Sea Bears and fans across Manitoba and beyond. “Rhéanne brings a rare combination of strategic brand insight and a deep understanding of what makes live sports unforgettable,” said David Asper, Chair and CEO of the Winnipeg Sea Bears. “As we continue to grow our fan base and our impact in the community, her leadership will be critical in shaping how people experience Sea Bears basketball – not just on game day, but every day of the year.” As Chief Brand and Experience Officer, Rhéanne will work closely with the executive team, basketball operations, and business partners to ensure every touchpoint with the Sea Bears organization reflects the team’s values, energy, and commitment to excellence, both on and off the court. “Stepping into this role feels incredibly meaningful. The Sea Bears have ignited something special in our city, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of that story,” said Rhéanne. “Winnipeg fans bring a level of passion and pride that is truly unmatched, and I’m looking forward to building on experiences that honour that spirit.” ### About the Winnipeg Sea Bears The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman. More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .