Ogungbemi-Jackson, Allen lift Bears past BlackJacks

Ogungbemi-Jackson, Allen lift Bears past BlackJacks

Guard Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson calmly drilled three game-clinching free throws to give the Winnipeg Sea Bears a 93-80 triumph over the Ottawa BlackJacks in Canadian Elite Basketball League action before 8,514 fans at Canada Life Centre Saturday night.

The 32-year-old Winnipegger, who finished with 20 points and six assists, was fouled on a three-point attempt in Target Score time to set the stage for the winning points. Playing in his hometown has been a thrill for Ogungbemi-Jackson, who had spent the first decade of his professional career in Europe.

“Seeing the professionals, it’s big for the kids,” said Ogungbemi-Jackson told reporters. “I want to win a championship, that’s my priority but part of me wants to be one of the older guys that came out of the city and really had to grind his way to make it from (U Sports).

“I didn’t really have any (NCAA) D1 looks… and kind of (had to) make my way in my career. It’s important for me to be out here. My family is obviously so happy for me to be playing.”

Teddy Allen led the Sea Bears with 27 points, including a pair of three-pointers in Target Score time. The clock was turned off with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter and the hosts leading 84-76.

Allen, who had exploded for 41 and 40 points in Winnipeg’s first two games, perservered despite his lowest offensive output of the season.

“My team kept finding me and coach kept believing in me,” said Allen, who was frequently double-teamed while also chipping in with five rebounds and six assists. “It just worked itself out.”

Winnipeg improved to 2-1 while Ottawa fell to 0-3.

Former NBA big man Byron Mullens had his biggest offensive output since joining the Sea Bears in training camp, scoring 19 points with eight rebounds, two blocks and three assists while teammate Darius Days added 16 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

“Teddy commands such attention from the defence that it’s a situation where he can set players up and create opportunities for his teammates,” said Sea Bears GM and head coach Mike Taylor. “I think he did that well today. We had really good balance.

“When Ottawa defenders double-teamed him, he made the right pass and he made the right play… Teddy’s more than just a scorer and when you don’t have your hot shooting game going, you’ve gotta find other ways to contribute and he did that really well.”

Mason Bourcier was scoreless off the bench but sparked the hosts with six rebounds and four assists in just over 23 minutes of playing time.

“Mason makes winning plays,” said Taylor. “He wasn’t scoring today but he was making extra passes, he was defending, he took charges, he rebounded. He was doing all the little things, without scoring, to win.”

Chad Posthumus was also clutch in reserve, registering six points and six rebounds in only seven minutes.

Ibrahim Watson led Ottawa with 23 points while adding three rebounds and two assists. Isaih Moore had 16 points, 13 rebounds and three assists for the BlackJacks, who trailed 68-65 after three quarters.

Next up for Winnipeg is a pair of road games next week. The Sea Bears travel to St. Catherines, Ont., for a Thursday matchup with the Niagara River Lions followed by a Sunday, June 9 meeting in Calgary against the Surge.

In the coming days, the Sea Bears should have further reinforcements on the way.

Hometown star Emmanuel Akot, a 6-8 forward, is expected to return to Winnipeg after completing his season with the Heroes den Bosch, who play in BNXT league in the Netherlands. Akot played two games for the BlackJacks in 2023 after a five-year career with three NCAA Division I programs.

Meanwhile, David Muenkat will also join the Sea Bears following the conclusion of his season with Frankfurt’s Fraport Skyliners of the German Pro A League.

The 6-7 forward from Brampton, Ont., helped the Scarborough Shooting Stars win a CEBL title in 2023 while averaging 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds.

Credit: Ogungbemi-Jackson, Allen lift Bears past BlackJacks