The Vancouver Bandits are leading the tops in the Canadian Elite Basketball League's (CEBL) Western Conference after convincing wins over the Ottawa BlackJacks and Saskatchewan Rattlers.
The June 6 home game against the BlackJacks in the 黑马磁力 Events Centre saw the Bandits take control early, up 21-12 in the first quarter, before the BlackJacks stormed back in the second and almost tied the game, at 38-35 heading into halftime.
The game's second half remained close, with the BlackJacks briefly ahead by a single point, at 65-64.
But the Bandits quickly shifted the momentum in the fourth quarter, opening it with a 10-2 run. The final score was 95-81 for the Bandits.
鈥淲e understand that teams might be able to stay with us for three quarters,鈥� said Bandits player Mitch Creek. 鈥淲hen we got to the fourth quarter, we really turned it up. We had each other鈥檚 backs, and we had that groove, confidence and swagger to come back... That鈥檚 the basketball we know we play and we鈥檙e excited to carry that momentum forward.鈥�
Creek finished the game with 21 points and nine rebounds.
Another key player was Kyle Mangas, according to Bandits head coach Kyle Julius.
鈥淜yle didn鈥檛 have a great game offensively, but he鈥檚 so calm and confident,鈥� Julius said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 so resilient and he makes a few plays in the end that going in the fourth quarter, his steadiness and maturity makes a big difference.鈥�
On Sunday, June 8, the Bandits hit the road, where they maintained an unbeaten 4-0 streak with a 101-76 win over the Saskatchewan Rattlers.
It was a full-team effort from the Bandits, as four members scored in double figures and seven managed at least two field goals. Tyrese Samuel led the way with 21 points, followed Izaiah Brockington with 18, and Shamar Givance and Mitch Creek contributed 16 points apiece.
鈥淩eally happy with the win,鈥� Julius said. 鈥淧leased with the energy, togetherness and connectivity of the guys.鈥�
The Bandits have now scored at last 100 points in six of their eight games this season, and are the only CEBL team averaging 100-plus points per game.
鈥淣ot trying to be arrogant, but we seem to be getting everyone鈥檚 best game,鈥� Julius said.
The Bandits will next play against the Montreal Alliance at home in the LEC on Saturday, June 14, with the game starting at 7 p.m.
