Saskatchewan Holds Off Edmonton Push to take 94-91 Home Win Over Stingers

The Saskatchewan Rattlers held off an Elam time Edmonton Stingers run and defeated the Stingers 94-91 at home.  The Rattlers move on to the quarter-finals of the 2022 playoffs.

A slow start for both sides meant no points early but Malik Benlevi and Tony Carr opened the game up and started a Rattlers run that would continue through the first quarter. 

Saskatchewan shot 57 per cent in the quarter compared to Edmonton’s 20 per cent and they worked out to a double-digit lead.  Getting the ball out quickly after a defensive rebound, the Rattlers took advantage of their pace and hit efficiently.  At the end of the first quarter, Saskatchewan led 29-12.

The Stingers worked the ball inside the paint in the second quarter, and much of their success came from Marlon Johnson Jr.  Johnson went into halftime with 11 points and four rebounds and along with the attack of Trahson Burrell, sparked the Stingers offence to try and cut into the deficit.  Going into halftime, the Rattlers led 51-35.

Adika Peter-Mcneilly started the third quarter with a spark for the Stingers to cut the deficit to 12.  Getting into the paint in transition he was able to find lanes to the rim before the Rattlers could set up their defence.  On the other end, Bandoo and Carr continued to be the leaders on the floor for Saskatchewan and kept them in a double-digit lead through the first portion of the third quarter. 

Peter-Mcneilly and Baker continued to answer the Rattlers buckets and the deficit stayed within 12 points throughout most of the third quarter.  A series of stops gave the Stingers the ability to further cut into the deficit.  Brody Clarke got to the free throw line with 12 seconds remaining and hit both giving the Stingers the final points of the quarter.  At the end of the third, Saskatchewan led 68-60.

The Rattlers continued to fire from three and the Stingers worked the ball to the rim.  D’andre Bernard started the quarter with a three and Peter-Mcneilly answered at the rim.  Teams went back and forth through the first six minutes of the quarter, the Rattlers lead remaining in double-digits.  A Clarke three-point play followed by a Kamba three put the Stingers within nine but a layup from Carr sent the game into Elam time and gave the Rattlers a 11-point lead.  Going into Elam ending, the Rattlers led 85-74, target score set at 94.

Bandoo started Elam time with a running hook and Baker answered with a layup of his own, the score 87-76 Rattlers.  Tshimanga with a floater gave the Rattlers 89 and a free throw put them at 90.  A jumper from Kamba and a pair of free throws from Peter-Mcneilly put the Stingers at 81 and they continued to claw back.  A hook from Tshimanga gave the Rattlers 92, two away from victory but the Stingers responded with Johnson and Kamba who gave the Stingers their next seven points. 

Once the Stingers got down 92-88, Peter-Mcneilly hit a three and the Stingers were within one of the Rattlers and three of victory.  Stopping the Stingers run and sealing the victory, Carr hit two free throws to move Saskatchewan forward in the playoffs.  Saskatchewan won 94-91. 

Carr’s game winning free throws gave him 20 points on 53 per cent shooting.  He added seven rebounds, an assist and a steal.  Bandoo shot 57 per cent and scored 22 points while assisting on nine baskets and grabbing seven rebounds with a steal.  Tshimanga recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds while Nuga added 10 points.

For the Stingers, Peter-Mcneilly scored 19 points, Kamba scored 18 points with six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.  Burrell finished with 17 points with five rebounds and five assists, and Johnson finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.  Baker led on the boards with 11 rebounds.

Carr talked about winning at home in the playoffs, “It felt great, it was a great opportunity to win a playoff game in front of our home fans, Edmonton is a great team, they stayed in it, I’m just happy we pulled it out.”



Carr talked about the approach to the game, “everyone is nicked up around this time of the season, it’s just another game.  We have to approach every player, every game the same and just play hard.”

Edmonton Head Coach Jermaine Small talked about the play of Marlon Johnson Jr and the use of his size, “he’s unique in that way, with his length, he’s a great athlete, with his hands he gets a lot of deflections, a lot of loose balls, a lot of offensive rebounds.  I thought he imposed his will periodically, I thought he could’ve done a little bit more but can’t go back and change it now.  We’re proud of his effort, proud of the whole teams’ effort, like I told him, you either win or you learn and we’ll be back next year and better next year.”