Nail-Biter in Niagara Comes Down to Final Possession, Stingers Topped 105-104

Nathan Cayo came through in the clutch to help the Niagara River Lions (12-5) defeat the

Edmonton Stingers (11-7) 105-104 on Sunday.

Cayo hit two shots in Target Score Time, including the game-winner, to finish with 20 points on

an efficient 66 per cent shooting from the field.

“Just wanted to be aggressive,” Cayo said about his game-winner. “We were in the bonus, so any

aggressive play would hopefully get to the line and ice the game. I’m just thankful to God I made

the shot.”

Despite the loss, the Stingers still clinched a playoff berth with Saskatchewan's 95-87 loss to the Surge, with Edmonton currently

sitting at 2nd in the West, giving them a berth to the West Semi-Finals.

Even with Niagara jumping out to a 10-point lead in the first half, Edmonton used a strong third

quarter to climb back into it and take a two-point lead into the fourth.

Khalil Ahmad caught fire with five minutes left, hitting three three-pointers to help put the River

Lions up 96-94. With the Target Score set at 105, it came down to the wire at Meridian Centre.

“Aggressiveness,” Ahmad said on how he was able to take over from three. “Confidence instilled

in me by my teammates, coaches, and staff. I feel like they have big expectations for me, it’s just

me doing my best to live up to that.”

Both teams would trade buckets throughout the Target Score Time. Loudon Love would sink two

free throws to get the River Lions within two points of the Target Score. However, Brody Clarke

would come out of a Stingers time-out and hit a layup to put them up 104-103.

With a guaranteed home playoff spot and their undefeated home record on the line, Cayo took

advantage of his mismatch and sunk the mid-range jumper to secure the victory for Niagara. The

River Lions have now won five straight games and are 8-0 on home court this season.

Ahmad finished the game with 29 points, nine assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Despite

these solid numbers, Ahmad reflected after the game on what he could improve.

“Defensively got to be better,” he said. “Better reads offensively in the pick and roll. Otherwise,

we got the win. That’s all that really matters.”

Niagara’s head coach Victor Raso shared after the game what the game plan was to secure the

victory in Target Score Time.

“Play good offence, make sure that we’re not settling, that the ball is moving,” Raso said. “If

we’re running actions, run it. We talked about that after the Montreal game, because we had

some really good examples of doing so to end Target Score Time. We did the same tonight, we

had two very good possessions to end Target.”

The Stingers look to bounce back when they take on the Saskatchewan Rattlers this Thursday.