Four Sea Bears Score in Double Figures as Winnipeg Tops Winless BlackJacks 93-80

June 3, 2024

By Steven Loung

Four Sea Bears scored in double figures as Winnipeg (2-1) used stout fourth-quarter defence to cruise past the Ottawa BlackJacks (0-3) 93-80 Saturday night at Canada Life Centre.

League MVP Teddy Allen came into Saturday’s contest averaging a league-best 40.5 points per game, but had to work for what he got on Saturday. He was eight of 19 from the floor, not making a three-pointer until he drilled a couple of difficult long-range shots in Target Score Time to finish two for seven from distance.

Despite the shooting struggles, last season’s CEBL MVP still managed to stuff the box score, finishing with six rebounds and six assists to go along with the 27 he dropped.

“I pride myself on making the right read,” said Allen after the game.

“Teddy commands such attention from the defence. It’s a situation where he can set players up and create opportunities for his teammates,” Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor added.

“From my standpoint, I’m really pleased with the way Teddy played. I think he did a great job defensively. He rebounded well. Teddy’s more than just a scorer, and when you don’t have your hot shooting game going, you have to find other ways to contribute, and he did that really well tonight.”

In an off night for Allen offensively, his teammates made key contributions on both ends of the floor. Allen wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play the hero in Target Score Time if his team hadn’t dug in defensively.

Winnipeg entered the fourth quarter clinging to a 68-65 lead but, on the back of their defence, were able to comfortably take things into Target Score Time ahead 84-76.

The Sea Bears held the BlackJacks to just five of 13 shooting in the fourth quarter and only one for four in Target Score Time. They were effective forcing turnovers and drawing charges, including a sequence where Allen and Mason Bourcier drew two on back-to-back Ottawa possessions.

“He was doing all the little things, without scoring, to win,” said Taylor of Bourcier, who was part of the unit that closed the game out for the Sea Bears. “He really made his teammates better, and that’s why we had him out there.”

Also shining for Winnipeg was former NBA first-round draft pick Byron Mullens, who enjoyed his best CEBL game since joining the league this season. The 35-year-old finished with 19 points and eight rebounds on eight-of-16 shooting, doing most of his damage in the second and third quarters while Allen was still trying to work through his off shooting night.

NBA G League import Darius Days added a strong performance with a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double. His 14 retrieves were just one shy of tying Allen and Posthumus for the Sea Bears' single-game record.

Local product Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson rounded out the Sea Bears starters to score in double figures, finishing with 20 points on six-of-10 shooting, and closing out the game with three made free throws, sending the 8,514 fans in attendance at Canada Life Centre home happy.

“We love Sea Bears Nation. They support us so well,” said Taylor. “Tonight, when we weren’t clicking offensively, you could still feel the energy with everyone supporting us. There’s something special happening here in Winnipeg.”

On the flip side, after yet another loss, the BlackJacks find themselves in a tough 0-3 hole to start the season, despite an excellent game from Ibrahim Watson, who finished with 23 points on 10-of-19 shooting, and newcomer Isaih Moore, who put up a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double in his second-ever CEBL game.

Those positives are cold comfort for Ottawa, however, as they continue to navigate the early portions of this season without key starters Deng Adel and Zena Edosomwan, who are currently completing their professional seasons overseas, and also without starting guard Yasiin Joseph, who didn’t play due to injury.

“We’re always evaluating the situation. We know that some of our players have been having success overseas and we’re waiting for them to arrive,” said Ottawa head coach James Derouin. “With the guys that we have, I’m proud of the way that they’re fighting.”

Ottawa will continue their road trip heading to Montreal to face the Alliance in a matchup that will see one of the two winless squads finally pick up a much-needed victory. Winnipeg will begin a four-game road trip in Brampton against the 2-1 Honey Badgers on Wednesday before returning home to face the Edmonton Stingers on Wednesday, June 19. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 20-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer David Asper is the organization's owner and chairman.

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 10 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+, Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube