Semifinal-bound BlackJacks dispatch Alliance in season finale for 3rd straight win

The Ottawa BlackJacks wrapped up the 2022 Canadian Elite Basketball League season with an 81-62 victory over the Montreal Alliance on Monday, entering the playoffs on a roll.

Ottawa was granted an automatic spot at the CEBL Championship Weekend by virtue of being the host team.

The BlackJacks dominated the second half of the game, outscoring the Alliance 41-26 in the final two frames, and entered the Elam Ending up by 14.

Ottawa native Johnny Berhanemeskel exploded for 25 points to lead all scorers on an extremely efficient 9-for-12 shooting.

The guard also potted 22 points in last Sunday's 104-95 victory over the Honey Badgers, the start of the BlackJacks' three-game winning streak - the longest active run in the CEBL.

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The match operated as a point of pride for the 4-16 Alliance, who entered the final game of their inaugural season guaranteed to remain in last place, one spot behind another fellow first-year team, the Newfoundland Growlers.

Forward Elijah Ifejeh was the only Alliance player to crack double digits for points, finishing with 15 to go along with seven rebounds.

Montreal closed out their season losing their last six games, as well as going 0-10 on the road.

The Alliance's performance in Montreal offered more in terms of silver linings as fan engagement stayed strong through the year. The 3,467 fans that showed up for their final game at Verdun Auditorium on Friday marked the highest attendance at the venue since their home-opener in May.