Edmonton Stingers Triumph Over Saskatchewan Rattlers 93-77 to Maintain Undefeated Streak

The Edmonton Stingers continued their unbeaten run in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) by securing a decisive 93-77 victory over the Saskatchewan Rattlers at the EXPO Centre on Sunday. This win improved the Stingers' record to 4-0, making them the only undefeated team in the league.

Brody Clarke led the charge for the Stingers with 18 points, bolstered by two three-pointers, four rebounds, and a block. Ben Krikke provided significant support off the bench, contributing 14 points and six rebounds in just 13 minutes of play. The Stingers' bench outscored the Rattlers' bench 38-11, highlighting their depth and versatility.

The game began with the Stingers' stifling defense holding the Rattlers to just 11 points in the first quarter, building a 22-11 lead. Despite a strong second quarter from Elijah Harkless, who scored 10 of his game-high 25 points, the Stingers maintained a narrow 40-37 lead at halftime.

The second half saw the Stingers pull away, thanks to back-to-back three-pointers that extended their lead to 68-58 by the end of the third quarter. They continued to dominate in the fourth, securing a comfortable 93-77 victory.

Elijah Harkless was a standout for the Rattlers, finishing with 25 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Jalen Harris also contributed significantly with 19 points and eight rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Rattlers fell to 3-1, suffering their first loss of the season.

Ben Krikke expressed his satisfaction with his role in the team's success, stating, "I'm grateful for all the minutes I can get. We got a very deep team. So whatever role I can have and contribute to a win, I'm very happy with."

Stingers head coach Jordan Baker praised his team's defensive strategy, saying, "I think we know when they're successful, who does most of the damage for them. So you know, we wanted to make sure we had at least somewhat of a plan in place."

The Stingers' next challenge will be against the Vancouver Bandits (3-1) on Tuesday, where they will aim to maintain their perfect record. Meanwhile, the Rattlers will look to bounce back when they visit the Calgary Surge on Wednesday.

In other CEBL action, the Montreal Alliance secured their first win of the season by defeating the Brampton Honey Badgers 95-77. Chris Smith led the Alliance with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Zane Waterman paced the Honey Badgers with 28 points and eight rebounds.

The Edmonton Stingers' unbeaten streak and their strong team chemistry, bolstered by four returning players, have positioned them as a formidable force in the CEBL. Their focus on defense and depth across the roster will be key as they continue their campaign.

Key Takeaways

• Edmonton Stingers remain undefeated with 93-77 win over Saskatchewan Rattlers.
• Brody Clarke leads Stingers with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block.
• Stingers' bench outscores Rattlers' bench 38-11, showcasing team depth.
• Elijah Harkless scores 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists for Rattlers.
• Stingers improve to 4-0, while Rattlers fall to 3-1 with first loss of season.