Vancouver Bandits started strong, but Edmonton Stingers fought their way back Saturday to get a 91-78 win Saturday night at the Edmonton Expo Centre.
Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius was blunt, saying “our defensive effort was poor everywhere,” and calling the game “one of our worst performances in two to three years.”
Jalen House led the game in scoring with 27 points, but he was disappointed with the defensive effort from the Bandits. “We were letting them get [points] too easily in the paint, easy threes.”
At the end of the first quarter, Vancouver was leading 25-19, and kept the pressure up to carry a 42-39 lead into halftime.
Bandits took the lead on free throws from reigning Canadian Player of the Year, Tyrese Samuel, who finished with a team-leading 13 rebounds.
Stingers took the lead in the third quarter with Bandits allowing 33 points and surrendering the lead.
In the fourth, Bandits trimmed the Stingers’ lead to seven points, but that was as close they would get.
It was the first win of the new season for Edmontion, and the first loss for the Bandits squad, fresh off a franchise-record offensive performance in their season opener.
With both teams expected to compete near the top of the Western Conference this season, Saturday’s game had the intensity and atmosphere of a potential playoff preview.
Vancouver showcased its explosive offensive ceiling and fast-paced style, while Edmonton leaned into toughness, defensive pressure, and depth to grind its way back into the contest.
Both teams face off again Friday night at Langley Events Centre.