Game Preview May 29 vs Saskatchewan
Edmonton Stingers look to bounce back at home in Sunday matinee against Saskatchewan Rattlers
The Edmonton Stingers will continue their title defence on Sunday afternoon in an all west coast match-up with the Saskatchewan Rattlers at 1 p.m. MT at the Edmonton Expo Centre. The Rattlers are looking for their first win against the Stingers since the 2019 playoffs. Edmonton is 7-3 all-time when matched up with Saskatchewan.
The Rattlers travel to Edmonton for their battle with the reigning back-to-back champs of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) after picking up a home victory over the Niagara River Lions in Saskatoon on opening night. The Stingers also opened their season against Niagara in a rematch of last year’s final but lost to the River Lions 86-74.
Edmonton was outscored by 19 points in the second and third quarters of Friday’s game. The Stingers’ offence was stagnant in the season opener, shooting just 33 per cent from the field and 25 per cent from three on 32 attempts.
Edmonton will especially be looking for more production out of their starting five. With a lineup consisting of returners Jahmal Jones, Brody Clarke and Jordan Baker to go along with new faces David Pekarek and Devon Bookert, the Stingers’ starters shot a combined 25 per cent from the field and 15 per cent from three.
A bright spot for the Stingers in their opening loss was bench scoring. Edmonton native Aher Uguak had an incredible pro debut, putting up 20 points on 7-8 shooting to go along with 2 steals. In just under 7 and a half minutes of action. London, England native Rowell Graham-Bell had an impact off the bench. Graham-Bell dialed long distance twice and scored 8 points for the Stingers in the loss.
This is the Stingers’ first season without their two-time CEBL Finals MVP Xavier Moon. After signing to several 10-day contracts with the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA this season, Moon then signed to a two-way contract with the Clippers and their G League affiliate in Agua Caliente. It’s still to be determined whether Moon’s absence will change the tide for the two-time champs in the 2022 season.
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan’s tight opening night victory over the River Lions saw five Rattlers reach double figures. Northwestern alumnus Scottie Lindsey led the Rattlers with 20 points on 9-16 shooting including a 5-11 performance from three while Anthony Carr drove the Saskatchewan offence with 17 points and 10 assists.
Devonte Bandoo, Jordy Tshimanga and Sebastian Aris each netted 14 points for the Rattlers, with Tshimanga also hauling 12 rebounds and closing out the game from the free throw line.
Sunday’s game will stream on CEBL+ live internationally and in Canada at cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS
and Android devices and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Games are also available on the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile, available on iOS and Android devices.
Edmonton Stingers season tickets are available at https://www.thestingers.ca/season-tickets17e760ad while Saskatchewan Rattlers season tickets are available at https://www.therattlers.ca/tickets.
A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.
Media Contact
Alex Jap, Manager of Marketing and Communications
The Edmonton Stingers
780-266-2774
alexjap@thestingers.ca