Sudbury Five edge Titans in thriller to claim BSL’s top spot

Jaquan Lightfoot taks a few shots with his former KW Titan teammates before the Sudbury's Fives road game at the Aud in Kitchener, Ont., on Jan 17, 2026. (KW Titan/Facebook)

The Sudbury Five survived a late push from the KW Titans to secure a 113-107 road victory on Saturday, moving into first place in the Basketball Super League in front of a crowd of more than a thousand.

The win, Sudbury’s third during a week-long road trip, pushed their record to 5-1 and knocked the Titans (6-2) into second place.

Tight battle throughout

Neither team built a commanding lead in a contest that featured 15 lead changes and was tied 11 times. Sudbury took a 59-56 advantage into halftime and held a slim 91-89 lead after three quarters.

“This game is too close for admin’s comfort,” The Sudbury Five’s social media account posted heading into the final frame.

The Five used a balanced scoring attack and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch to close out a tight win.

Neither team led by more than eight points until the final minute of play. A key 9-2 run by Sudbury, capped by a three-pointer from Allen Billinger, gave them a 100-94 cushion with 9:28 remaining.

The Titans chipped away, cutting the deficit to 107-105 on a Groce three-pointer with 1:18 left. Sudbury’s composure at the foul line proved decisive, as Lightfoot and Notice combined to make four consecutive free throws in the final 51 seconds to seal the victory.

Teams traded baskets for most of the game

Duane Notice led all scorers for Sudbury with 22 points, including a nearly perfect 9-for-11 from the free-throw line, while adding six assists. Jaquan Lightfoot, playing against his former team, recorded a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds, earning him ‘Greatest Performance of the Night’ honours. Alex Kotov also added 17 points for the Five.

The Titans embraced their former teammate before the game, sharing photos of Lightfoot on the court with his club from last season and the caption “Always welcome in the kitchen” on their social media account.

Tarkus Ferguson paced the Titans with a game-high 24 points, five assists, and four steals. Tyshon Groce contributed 13 points off the bench.

Sudbury’s efficiency at the charity stripe was a major difference-maker, as they made 31 of 38 attempts (81.6 per cent). The Titans also shot well from the line, making 24 of 31 (77.4 per cent).

The Five bench outscored the Titans’ reserves 27-19, with Devante Jamison providing a significant spark with 16 points, including four three-pointers.

Securing the top spot

The victory completed a perfect three-game road swing for Sudbury, following wins over the Erie Lake Jackals and Windsor Express earlier in the week.

After the final buzzer, the team’s messaging was succinct.

“Business trip: handled,” the team wrote on Facebook.

Sudbury’s next game is scheduled for Jan. 24 at home against the Erie Lake Jackals.