The Alliance's historic visit to the Scotiabank Saddledome ended in disappointment as they fell 107-91 to the Calgary Surge in the CEBL's inaugural Stampede Game. Despite the return of leading scorer Tavian Dunn-Martin from injury and the debuts of three new players, Montréal struggled to match Calgary's offensive firepower.

Evan Gilyard Jr. dominated the evening with a spectacular 37-point performance for Calgary, while Sean Miller-Moore and Greg Brown III each added 23 points to overwhelm the Alliance's defense. The loss drops Montreal to 6-8 and fourth place in the Eastern Conference, though they remain in playoff position with the tightly-contested standings.

Dunn-Martin made an immediate impact upon his return, scoring 24 points on efficient shooting and showing no ill effects from his recent injury layoff. The dynamic guard knocked down several deep three-pointers and created scoring opportunities with his trademark creativity, giving the Alliance hope early in the contest. However, his playing time decreased significantly in the second half, possibly due to conditioning concerns as he works back to full health.

Shamiel Stevenson led the newcomers with 10 points, three rebounds and four assists, displaying the offensive versatility that made him an attractive addition. The veteran forward showed good court vision and an ability to create for teammates, though he and his new colleagues clearly need time to develop chemistry within the team's system.

Montréal native Nate Tshimanga made his professional debut with four points and three rebounds, bringing energy and size off the bench in his first CEBL appearance.

Kevin Osawe provided steady production with 17 points and nine rebounds, continuing his reliable play throughout the season. Malcolm Duvivier contributed 12 points off the bench, while veteran playmaker Alain Louis dished out eight assists despite scoring just four points. However, the Alliance's offense lacked the rhythm and cohesion that has characterized their better performances this season.

Calgary's balanced attack proved too much for Montréal's defense to contain. The Surge's league-leading steal numbers translated into numerous transition opportunities, while their half-court execution created quality looks against an Alliance team still finding its identity. Calgary's ability to score from multiple positions stretched Montreal's defense thin and prevented them from focusing on any single threat.

Montréal showed fight at various points, with several players making their mark in their new roles. The integration of new talent while managing Dunn-Martin's return from injury created rotation challenges that head coach Jermaine Small continues to navigate. Finding the right combinations and building chemistry between established players and newcomers remains a work in progress.



The defeat serves as a reminder that talent alone isn't sufficient in a competitive league like the CEBL. Chemistry, execution, and consistency remain essential as the Alliance works to blend their roster and build momentum for the crucial stretch run. With every game carrying significant playoff implications, Montreal cannot afford many more performances like this one.

The Alliance return to the familiar confines of Verdun Auditorium on Sunday, July 13 at 4:00 PM to face the Vancouver Bandits. Playing at home should provide the perfect opportunity to bounce back from this disappointing road performance and continue integrating their new players in a more comfortable environment. The supportive home crowd and familiar surroundings will be welcome after this challenging night in Calgary.