River Lions advance to CEBL final with 93-91 win over Shooting Stars

By Canadian Press on August 22, 2025.

WINNIPEG — Khalil Ahmad’s three-pointer in Target Time lifted the Canadian Elite Basketball League defending champion Niagara River Lions to a thrilling 93-91 win over the Scarborough Shooting Stars in Friday’s Eastern Conference final at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.

Ahmad led the River Lions with 29 points and six rebounds, and helped punch his team’s ticket to Sunday’s championship game against the winner of Friday’s Western Conference final between the CEBL Championship Weekend host Winnipeg Sea Bears and Calgary Surge.

Nathan Cayo had 16 points and nine rebounds for the River Lions, while Ron Curry had 14 points and five assists.

Donovan Williams led the Shooting Stars — who won the league championship in 2023 — with 29 points and 11 rebounds. Terquavion Smith had 16 points and 10 assists, while Michael Foster Junior had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The Shooting Stars led 50-49 at halftime.

BANDITS, CREEK HAUL IN TOP AWARDS

The Vancouver Bandits finished first in the CEBL this season with a 19-5 record. Their dream season was halted, however, when the visiting Calgary Surge outlasted them 105-103 in Target Time in the Western Conference final.

That didn’t stop the Langley, B.C.-based team from sweeping the top three awards on Thursday at the 2025 CEBL Awards Night in Winnipeg.

Mitch Creek won the Most Valuable Player Award, Tyrese Samuel won the Canadian Player of the Year Award and Clutch Player of the Year Award, and Kyle Julius won Coach of the Year Award.

Zane Waterman of the Ottawa BlackJacks was named Sixth Man of the Year, Jameer Nelson Jr. of the Calgary Surge was crowned Defensive Player of the Year, Isaac Simon of the Saskatchewan Rattlers was named Developmental Player of the Year, and Karl Toulouse received the Fox 40 Officiating Recognition Award.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 22, 2025.

The Canadian Press