Surge survive in sensational finish against Bandits to advance to CEBL conference finals

Evan Gilyard II celebrates after sinking three free throws in Target Score Time to give the Calgary Surge a thrilling 105-103 win in their CEBL playoff game against the Vancouver Bandits Saturday afternoon.

Jameer Nelson Jr. scored a playoff record 39 points to lead the visiting Calgary Surge to a thrilling 105-103 victory over the Vancouver Bandits in Canadian Elite Basketball League action today in Langley, B.C.

Evan Gilyard II who finished with 29 points, scored the winning points in Target Time as the Surge won the Western Conference semifinal and advance to championship weekend in Winnipeg.

With the Surge on the precipice of elimination, trailing 103-102 with a target score of 105, the Bandits were called for a foul on Gilyard II who was shooting beyond the three-point arc.

That sent Gilyard II to the foul line for the three most pressure-packed free throws of his career and he made them all, sending the Surge to Winnipeg next weekend.

“I love our team,” Canales said. “I absolutely loved our championship poise … that’s our standard, that’s our culture. The coaches are already preparing for Winnipeg. We need two more (wins).”

The Bandits got a huge shooting game from Zach Copeland, who had 30 points and three steals. Mitch Creek and Tyrese Samuel chipped in with 25 and 22 points respectively.

Calgary swept the Bandits three straight during the season, largely due to the dynamic duo of Nelson Jr. and Gilyard II, and early Saturday, it was more of the same. Nelson had seven and Gilyard II 12 points in the second quarter.

The Surge were firing on all cylinders, building a 10-point lead at the half that felt as if it could have been more.

The Bandits fought back in the third, and after an 8-2 run early in the fourth, found themselves in possession of a 96-95 lead.

Just before Gilyard II’s winning free throws, the Bandits appeared poised to snatch the victory but a referee review ruled no foul on what would have been two free throws to reach the target score of 105.

Nelson Jr. and Gilyard II combined for 68 points Saturday after combining for 54 to propel the Calgary club past the Edmonton Stingers earlier this week.

Next up for the Surge is a Friday night matchup with the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The winner advances to the CEBL final against the winner of the eastern final showdown between the Scarborough Shooting Stars and defending CEBL champions the Niagara River Lions.

With files from The Canadian Press