The Ottawa BlackJacks defeated the Montreal Alliance 90-79 [1] during a Canadian Elite Basketball League regular-season game on May 31, 2026 [2].

The contest served as a milestone for the league, as it featured the first all-female officiating crew in CEBL history [3]. This development marks a shift in the professional sports landscape regarding gender representation in officiating roles.

The game took place at the Verdun Auditorium in Montreal, Quebec [4]. Ottawa's victory was driven by dominant displays from Justin Harmon and Cleveland, which allowed the team to maintain control throughout the matchup [5].

For the Montreal Alliance, the loss extended a difficult stretch for the franchise. The defeat marked the fifth straight loss for the Montreal team [6]. Despite the loss, the game was described as a thriller that saw the Alliance attempt a comeback before Ottawa secured the win [7].

The CEBL continues to integrate these officiating milestones into its regular-season schedule [3]. The BlackJacks used the victory to strengthen their position in the Eastern conference standings as they competed for a top-three seed [8].

“The contest served as a milestone for the league, as it featured the first all-female officiating crew in CEBL history.”

The introduction of the first all-female officiating crew in the CEBL signals a push toward gender parity in professional basketball officiating. While the game's outcome impacted the standings for the Ottawa BlackJacks and Montreal Alliance, the systemic change in how the league staffs its games provides a blueprint for other professional sports leagues in Canada and beyond.