Overtime heartbreaker: Sudbury Five drop road trip finale in Montreal

Several Sudbury Five players talk while play is stopped in a game in this undated promotional photo. (The Sudbury Five/Facebook)

The Sudbury Five couldn’t complete the comeback in a back-and-forth overtime battle Sunday, dropping a 102-99 decision to the Montreal Toundra at Centre Pierre-Charbonneau.

The loss leaves the two teams tied atop the Basketball Super League standings with identical 14-6 records, splitting their four games this season, with each team winning twice.

Sunday’s contest was the third game in three days for both clubs, with each having won one game earlier in the weekend series. The Five bounced back from a 105-86 loss Friday with a 109-98 victory Saturday before Sunday’s overtime thriller.

Antonio Davis Jr. led all scorers with 29 points on 12-of-19 shooting, adding eight rebounds and two blocks in 42 minutes before fouling out. Charlie Marquardt contributed 21 points and 10 rebounds while playing 46 minutes.

Duane Notice recorded 10 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in 48 minutes of action. Devante Jamison added 17 points and seven assists off the bench in 37 minutes.

Shakur Daniel paced Montreal with 19 points and a game-high 17 rebounds in 48 minutes. John Buggs and Brandon Beloti each scored 18 points for the Toundra, with Beloti adding five steals.

The game featured multiple ties and lead changes, with neither team able to establish firm control throughout regulation.

Both teams received technical fouls during the contest, with Sudbury’s Jamison and Montreal’s Elijah Ifejeh whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct in the fourth quarter.

Sudbury led 25-20 after the first quarter before Montreal outscored the visitors 27-16 in the second to take a 47-41 halftime advantage. The Five responded with a 27-25 third quarter and a 24-20 fourth to force overtime tied at 92.

In the extra frame, Montreal outscored Sudbury 10-7 to secure the victory.

The Toundra’s bench proved decisive, outscoring Sudbury’s reserves 52-24. Montreal also held a 14-6 advantage in second-chance points.

“Couldn’t get it done in OT,” the Five posted on social media following the defeat.

The Five return to action Saturday at home against the Lake Erie Jackals. Montreal hits the road Friday to face the Windsor Express.