The Montréal Alliance (7-12) came up short in their playoff push, falling 94-89 to the Scarborough Shooting Stars (9-10) Sunday afternoon at Verdun Auditorium. Despite outstanding individual performances from Tavian Dunn-Martin and Quincy Guerrier, the Alliance couldn't close out a game that remained within reach throughout.

Dunn-Martin delivered a masterful performance with 28 points and 8 assists, showing why he's emerged as one of the CEBL's premier guards. His court vision and scoring ability kept the Alliance competitive throughout, but it wasn't quite enough against a determined Scarborough squad.

Guerrier matched his backcourt partner with a dominant 26-point outing on 5 rebounds, providing the interior scoring punch that has become his trademark. The duo combined for 54 points, showcasing the type of offensive firepower that makes this Alliance team dangerous when clicking.

However, the rest of the lineup struggled to provide consistent support. Tavis Smith managed just 6 points on 4 assists in an uncharacteristically quiet performance, while the bench contributed a modest 22 points total.

The Shooting Stars got exactly what they needed from their returning star. Donovan Williams, back from NBA Summer League duties, led Scarborough with 24 points in his first game since July 1st. His presence immediately elevated their offensive options and provided the veteran leadership they'd been missing.

Terquavion Smith added 21 points and a game-high 9 assists, while Aaron Best dominated the glass with 12 rebounds to go with 11 points. The balanced scoring attack proved too much for an Alliance defense that showed flashes but couldn't sustain the intensity needed.

Former Alliance forward Anthony Walker contributed 7 points against his old team, adding another layer to what became an emotional afternoon for both sides.

The Alliance led by as many as 15 points in the first quarter and carried a 49-44 advantage into halftime. They even pushed the lead to 5 points late in the third quarter before Scarborough's experience began to show.

The decisive fourth quarter saw the Shooting Stars outscore Montréal 26-18, with Williams and Smith making crucial plays down the stretch. The Alliance managed to stay within striking distance throughout the final period but couldn't find the defensive stops or timely baskets needed to complete the comeback.

Despite the setback, the Alliance's playoff hopes remain intact. With Brampton falling to Niagara earlier in the day, multiple scenarios still exist for Montréal to secure their postseason berth. The most immediate opportunity comes Friday night when they host the Honey Badgers at 7:30 PM at Verdun Auditorium.

A victory over Brampton would clinch the Alliance's playoff spot and cap off a remarkable transformation since the return of their core players. The pieces are clearly in place for a postseason run - they just need to finish the job.

This loss stings because it represented a missed opportunity against a direct playoff rival. The Alliance showed they can score with anyone when Dunn-Martin and Guerrier are operating at this level, but they need more consistent contributions from the supporting cast.

The chemistry between their star duo continues to develop, and performances like Sunday's demonstrate why this team believes they can make noise once they reach the playoffs. Now they need to channel that confidence into the type of complete team effort that will get them there.



Next up: The Alliance host Brampton Friday at 7:30 PM with a chance to clinch their playoff berth on home court.