Quincy Guerrier delivered a spectacular 19-point, 15-rebound double-double that wasn't quite enough to lift Montréal past the defending champion Niagara River Lions, who escaped Verdun Auditorium with a hard-fought 77-73 victory on Sunday night.

The loss dropped the Alliance to 6-7 on the season, falling below .500 as they continue to battle through significant injury concerns that kept leading scorer Tavian Dunn-Martin, O.D. Anosike, and Michael Diggins Jr. out of the lineup.

A Battle of Runs

Montréal came out firing in front of their home crowd, racing to a 7-0 lead behind strong early play from their makeshift starting lineup of Kevin Osawe, Guerrier, Ben Stevens, Alain Louis, and Brandon Porter. The Alliance maintained that energy throughout the opening frame, taking a 19-13 advantage into the second quarter.

However, the defending champions showed their championship pedigree in the second quarter, using a 7-0 run of their own to seize control and build a 41-34 halftime lead. Nathan Cayo, the Montreal native playing in his hometown, began to find his rhythm for Niagara alongside the steady Ron Curry, who was making his return after a five-game absence.

The third quarter saw Niagara stretch their lead to as many as 11 points, threatening to pull away from the short-handed Alliance. But Montréal's resilience shone through as they chipped away at the deficit, cutting it back to six points entering the final frame.

Fourth Quarter Drama

The fourth quarter lived up to its billing as a playoff-atmosphere contest, with both teams trading baskets in a physical, defensive battle. The Alliance managed to take a brief 61-60 lead at the 5:16 mark, sending the Verdun faithful into a frenzy and giving hope for an upset of the East-leading River Lions.

However, Niagara's championship experience proved crucial down the stretch. The visitors responded with a decisive 8-0 run to regain control, and when Target Score Time arrived, they held a 68-61 advantage that proved insurmountable.

Despite the Alliance's best efforts to close the gap, costly missed free throws - finishing just 19-of-31 (61%) from the charity stripe - prevented them from completing the comeback. The game fittingly ended with reigning Finals MVP Khalil Ahmad stepping to the free-throw line, just as their championship run concluded last season in this very building.

Individual Performances

Guerrier's dominant display showcased the versatility and athleticism that has made him one of the league's most impactful players this season. His 19 points led all Alliance scorers while his 15 rebounds tied for the game high, and he added four assists in an all-around effort that kept Montréal competitive throughout.

Veteran guard Alain Louis provided excellent secondary scoring with 15 points while dishing out five assists and grabbing five rebounds. The Day 1 Alliance member continued his steady play despite the team's injury woes.

Kevin Osawe contributed a solid double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Ben Stevens added nine points, four rebounds, and three assists in the starting lineup.

For Niagara, Nathan Cayo led all scorers with 18 points and six rebounds in his hometown return. Ron Curry added 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists in his return from injury, while Eddie Ekiyor chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds.

Notably, it was an off night for Ahmad, who managed just six points on 1-of-10 shooting, though he did contribute seven assists. The fact that Niagara still managed to win despite their leading scorer's struggles speaks to their championship depth.

Special Moment

The evening also featured a historic milestone, as former Alliance player Ahmed Hill became the first player in CEBL history to surpass 1,500 career points (including playoffs). Hill, who spent two seasons with Montréal before joining the defending champions, scored 12 points off the bench in his 90th career game.

Looking Ahead

Head coach Jermaine Small praised his team's effort despite the frustrating finish: "You miss all those free throws, I'm a little bit frustrated about that, but I'm proud of the effort overall." The Alliance showed they can compete with the league's best even while short-handed, but will need to improve their execution in crucial moments.

The Alliance will look to bounce back when they travel to face the Calgary Surge on Wednesday, July 9. With key players still sidelined with injuries, the team will need others to step up as they fight to get back above .500 and secure a playoff position.

Despite the loss, the performance showed the character and fight that this Alliance team possesses. With better health and continued development, they remain a dangerous team capable of making noise in the playoff race.

Next Game: Wednesday, July 9 @ Calgary Surge