Alliance Show Fight but Fall Short in Ottawa

The Montréal Alliance’s bid to build momentum came up short Saturday afternoon in Ottawa, falling 90-77 to the BlackJacks in a game that showcased both promise and areas for improvement. Despite a spirited effort and the successful debut of new forward Brandon Porter, the Alliance was unable to contain Ottawa’s explosive offensive attack led by league-scoring leader Javonte Smart.

Porter Makes Immediate Impact

In his highly anticipated debut, Brandon Porter wasted no time making his presence felt. The 6’9” forward finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, including a momentum-shifting three-pointer in the third quarter that briefly gave Montréal a 50-49 lead. Porter’s versatility was on full display as he contributed from all three levels and provided the Alliance with the scoring punch they needed following recent roster changes.

Smart too Much to Handle

Ottawa’s Javonte Smart continued his torrid scoring pace, pouring in 31 points to lead all scorers and maintain his league-leading average. The dynamic guard was particularly devastating in the fourth quarter, scoring 13 points to help the BlackJacks pull away for good. Smart’s combination of driving ability and perimeter shooting proved too much for the Alliance defense to contain consistently.



Isaih Moore added 19 points and eight rebounds, while Zane Waterman contributed 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Alliance Offense Shows Balance

Despite the loss, the Alliance demonstrated improved offensive balance with multiple players contributing. O.D. Anosike led the charge with 17 points, followed by Quincy Guerrier (15) and Porter (14). Tavian Dunn-Martin and Malcolm Duvivier both ended with nine points, Dunn-Martin also adding 12 assists to his stat sheet.

Defensive Struggles Prove Costly

While the Alliance showed flashes of defensive intensity, particularly in the third quarter when they briefly took the lead, consistency remained elusive. Ottawa shot 47.1% from the field and knocked down nine three-pointers, with Smart and the BlackJacks finding good looks throughout the contest.

Looking Ahead

At 5-5, the Alliance remain in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race but will need to find more consistency on both ends of the floor. The positive debut for Porter, combined with the veteran presence of Anosike, provides a foundation to build upon.

The Alliance will travel to Edmonton Tuesday for a Canada Day matchup against the Stingers.