The Saskatchewan Rattlers’ offence was clicking with their three-point shooting as they beat the Montréal Alliance 98-86 at home on June 26.

The Rattlers – league-leaders in three-point percentage- went 16 for 35 from deep (45 per cent) to move to 5-4. They are also 4-1 at home. The Alliance lose their sixth game in a row to fall to 3-8.

The game started with low scoring as Sherwood Brown hit a three to give Montréal a 5-4 lead, their first of the game. Dominic Green added a dunk, leading to a Saskatchewan timeout. 

After both teams missed shots, D’Andre Bernard got Saskatchewan’s three-point shooting going to tie the game at seven. The Alliance focused on scoring inside with Nathan Cayo scoring a layup before finding Green for one as well. Montréal moved the ball well in transition.

Rattlers guard Sebastian Åris made an impact off the bench with a three and an assist on Devonte Bandoo’s three. Åris found Bandoo for a fastbreak dunk to even the game at 17. He hit free throws to put them up 21-17 at the end of the first quarter. 

The visitors kept the game close with their defence while Brown scored off a drive to tie it. Saskatchewan’s leading scorer Tony Carr was held scoreless through the first quarter and a half but drove for a layup for his first points. His team went on a run to lead 49-40 at the half. 

Both sides attacked the paint early in the third quarter. Irshaad Hunte blocked a shot in his first game with the Rattlers before Scottie Lindsay scored at the other end to give them a 10-point lead. Hunte hit a hook shot on the next possession for his first points. 

Saskatchewan extended the lead to 69-54 as Lindsay finished a finger roll at the third quarter buzzer. Bandoo opened the fourth quarter with a three. The triples continued to pour in as Lindsay scored to make it 80-60, much to the home crowd’s delight. 

The Rattlers increased their lead to 89-71 heading into Elam time by continuing to hit threes. Montréal guard Alain Louis to it end-to-end for a layup to start the Elam Ending as they made a late six point run. 

Saskatchewan responded with their own 5-0 run, capped off by another Bandoo three. Malik Benlevi hit the game-winner from the free throw line. 

The three-point attack was spearheaded by many Saskatchewan players. Devonte Bandoo (28 points, eight-for-10 from deep), Benlevi (11 points, two-for-six) and Åris (12 points, two-for-four) led the shooting. Captain Scottie Lindsay also added 21 points and three rebounds. 

The Rattlers shot better than the Alliance from the field, from three and had more rebounds (47-37), assists (20-16) and blocks (3-0). 

Åris made his return after missing multiple games due to injury. “I’ve been waiting for that for a long time so it was really nice to be back finally,” he noted. “It was a good atmosphere. I’m just enjoying being back with the guys.”

He also praised his team’s second half performance. “When got stops, we picked the pace up and moved the ball well,” he noted. “I think when we play as a unit instead of individuals, we play better.” 

Montréal was led by Green (22 points, nine rebounds, three steals), Cayo (19 points, four rebounds) and Ashley Hamilton (14 points, four rebounds). Despite the loss, there were positives. They received 25 points from their bench and had 10 steals. 

“We just need to put 40 minutes together,” Cayo said. “We showed flashes of playing good defence and good offence but we just have to stay locked in the whole game.”

The Rattlers look for their third straight win as they continue their homestand against the Newfoundland Growlers on June 28. The Alliance look the snap the losing run when they face the Scarborough Shooting Stars on the road on July 3. 

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