Montreal – January 6, 2024
Montreal Toundra begin their 2024 campaign with a 111 – 114 loss in front of a sold out crowd.
The Montreal Toundra’s sophomore season in the Basketball Super League (BSL) got underway tonight, with a loss against the Sudbury Five. It was a closely contest match in front of a sold out crowd that came down to the final moments before Sudbury emerged victorious.
Early on, Montreal looked to be the better team and were firmly in control, but as the game wore on things began to sway in Sudbury’s direction. Largely through an abundance of penalties, resulting in points from free-throws.
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At the end of the first quarter, Montreal held a 33 – 24 lead and were firmly in control of the game. The Toundra were out-pacing Sudbury, and finishing their plays while playing a firm defense that was stifling Sudbury’s attack. Everything was pointing towards Montreal kicking off their campaign beautifully in front of a capacity crowd. However, Sudbury had other plans.
The second quarter saw Sudbury waking up and had began to take over. Suddenly, they were breaking through Montreal’s defense and frustrating them into taking bad penalties. Sudbury’s free throw accuracy was solid while Montreal struggled to match them. At halftime, Sudbury had come from to take a one point lead, 58 to 59.
Montreal met Sudbury’s charge and retook the lead in the third quarter, and held a seven point lead at the end of the third quarter. Throughout the period, both teams exchanged baskets, and while the contest was now closely contested – Montreal played their best ball of the game, and were deserving of the lead they had amassed. With the crowd fully behind them, the Toundra were putting on a show. At the buzzer, Montreal held an 89 – 82 lead.
Again, Sudbury showed their resilience at although down, found an extra gear and came out roaring to begin the final quarter. Montreal though were up for the task and fired back as the game continued to be a brilliant back and forth chess match, with very little separating the two squads. With eight minutes to go in the game, Montreal were guarding a 96 to 92 lead but Sudbury were playing their best basketball of the night.
The game grew tense and the atmosphere was electric, as Montreal now held on to a single point lead with just over five minutes to go. Less than thirty seconds later, Sudbury had edged ahead and they now held the single point lead. Back and forth they went and at the end of the regulation time, the game was tied and headed into extra time. Everyone was sat at the edge of their seats in anticipation of what was to conclude a fun match.
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Overtime saw Sudbury take control and begin to run away with the game. Suddenly, Sudbury found themselves with a five point lead with just a minute to go. With just under eight seconds remaining, Montreal found themselves with two points, but also took another foul that ultimately would cost them the game, as Samuel Daniel sank his free throws and the Sudbury Five walk away with the victory, by just three points.
Montreal will again face the Sudbury Five tomorrow after at 2pm EST at the Centre Pierre Charbonneau, and a few tickets are still available here.
