Alliance Close Regular Season with Win Over Scarborough

The Montréal Alliance closed their regular season on a high note Sunday afternoon, defeating the Scarborough Shooting Stars 92-80 at Toronto Pan Am Centre in what served as a final tune-up before both teams meet again Thursday in the Eastern Conference Play-In game.

With playoff positioning already locked, both coaches used the opportunity to rest key players and experiment with rotations. The Alliance sat Tavian Dunn-Martin and Michael Diggins Jr., while Scarborough rested Terquavion Smith, Anthony Walker, and Donovan Williams ahead of their elimination showdown.

Despite missing several players, the Alliance showcased the depth that has defined their best performances. Sascha Kappos led the way with 21 points, hitting multiple key three-pointers. Brandon Porter continued his strong play with 16 points and nine rebounds. His two-way impact and ability to guard multiple positions will be essential against Scarborough's athletic forwards.

Playing without three of their top five scorers, Scarborough struggled to find offensive rhythm against an engaged Alliance defense. Aaron Best led the way with 22 points, but the Shooting Stars shot just 28% from the three-point line and turned the ball 20 times.

Michael Foster Jr. provided his usual strong interior play with 16 points and 13 rebounds, but lacked the supporting cast to keep pace with the Alliance's balanced offense. Kobe Elvis contributed 13 points and seven assists in an expanded role.

The contrast between Sunday's low-stakes affair and Thursday's winner-take-all Play-In game will be stark. Both teams now have four days to prepare for their elimination meeting, with the winner advancing to face Ottawa in the Eastern Conference Semifinal.

The Alliance's convincing victory, even against a short-handed Scarborough squad, should provide confidence heading into the postseason. The team's ability to execute their system without their primary offensive creator suggests the depth and adaptability that could make them dangerous in a single-elimination format.

For Scarborough, Sunday's loss serves as a reminder that playoff basketball rewards execution and attention to detail. The Shooting Stars will need their full complement of players healthy and engaged to advance past the Alliance on Thursday.

Thursday's Play-In game tips off at 7:00 PM ET at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, with the winner earning a date with Ottawa.