The Niagara River Lions have won the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League Championship. On Sunday, a the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. the Lions defeated the Calgary Surge 79-73 in the championship game. Khalil Ahmad was the most valuable player of the championship game as he had a team-high 16 points. Ahmad also was the co-leader in rebounds with nine. Lions point guard Elijah Lufile of Milton, Ontario also had nine boards.
Ahmad, a guard, was one of four River Lions to reach double digits in scoring. Forward Nathan Cayo of Montreal, Quebec had 14 points, guard Ahmed Hill had 13 points off the bench, and guard Ron Curry had 10 points.
During championship weekend in Winnipeg, the River Lions won their semifinal game on Friday by beating the Scarborough Shooting Stars 93-91. Ahmad led the River Lions in that game with 29 points, while Lufile led the Lions with 15 rebounds.
The River Lions had the best record in the Eastern Conference with a record of 14 wins and 10 losses. They had a winning percentage of .583. What was a bit surprising is the fact the Lions finished first when they had a points for and against ratio of -59. In the regular season. the River Lions scored 2062 points and gave up 2121 points.
This is the second straight year the River Lions won the CEBL Championship. Last year in the final in Montreal, Quebec, the River Lions beat the Vancouver Bandits 97-95 in the final.
