Allen, Kraus lead Sea Bears to comeback win over Stingers in CEBL season opener

Hometown product Mason Kraus made a pair of clutch free throws to reach the target score and give the Winnipeg Sea Bears a 77-75 win over the host Edmonton Stingers in the Canadian Elite Basketball League season opener on Saturday.

Kraus, a guard from the University of Manitoba Bisons, came off the bench to help lead the Sea Bears to the comeback victory at the Edmonton Expo Centre, making big shots in the second half while finishing with 11 points.

Star Winnipeg forward Teddy Allen scored a game-high 24 points while collecting 10 rebounds in his Sea Bears return. He previously played for the team in 2023, a season that saw him named league MVP.

Teddy Allen leads Sea Bears past Stingers in CEBL season opener

Jeremiah Tilmon Jr. had 14 points and eight rebounds for Winnipeg, which was down by seven points at halftime after being outscored 16-9 in the second quarter.

Fellow forward Emmanuel Akot added seven points and 10 rebounds to help deliver the first win of head coach Mike Raimbault's professional career.

Raimbault was named bench boss and general manager last summer after guiding the University of Winnipeg Wesmen men’s team to Canada West Championship final appearances in 2023 and 2024.

"Raimbault pushed us to keep fighting," Allen said after Saturday's win.

Stingers forward Tre King and guard Taye Donald led Edmonton with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Edmonton was up 75-73 with the Elam Ending target set at 77, but Allen drew a foul and made both free throws to create a next-basket-wins scenario.

Donald missed a one-handed shot against Winnipeg's full-court defence and Kraus was fouled on the transition, leading to the game-winning points.

Watch live coverage of every CEBL game this season on the CBC TV network,