The Niagara River Lions defeated the Scarborough Shooting Stars 93-91 to win the CEBL Eastern Conference Final [1], [2].
This victory marks a significant shift in the league's power dynamic, as the River Lions overcame the first-place Shooting Stars to earn a spot in the championship game.
The game took place on Aug. 22, 2025 [4]. While some reports listed Winnipeg as the venue, the match was held at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, Ontario [5].
Niagara secured the win through a late-game surge, scoring 27 points in the final frame [3]. The victory was sealed by a game-winning three-pointer from Khalil Ahmad.
The result concludes the Eastern Conference bracket, clearing the path for the River Lions to compete for the league title. The Shooting Stars entered the matchup as the top-seeded team in the conference, but they were unable to hold off the Niagara offensive push in the closing minutes.
This win allows the River Lions to advance to the championship game, which was scheduled for the following Sunday. The team's ability to execute under pressure in the fourth quarter proved decisive in the two-point victory [1].
“The Niagara River Lions defeated the Scarborough Shooting Stars 93-91”
The River Lions' upset of the first-place Scarborough Shooting Stars demonstrates the volatility of the CEBL playoffs, where momentum in the final quarter can override regular-season seeding. By advancing to the championship, Niagara has positioned itself as a primary contender for the league title, shifting the narrative from a dominant Shooting Stars season to a competitive final showdown.
