SASKATOON – The Guelph Nighthawks hopes of hosting a playoff game took a hit Thursday night with an 84-81 loss to the Saskatchewan Rattlers.
The loss leaves Guelph at 8-9 on the season and in seventh place in the 10-team Canadian Elite Basketball League standings. Six of the top eight teams (two teams get automatic berths in the championship tournament) will be vying for two open spots in the four-team championship weekend in Ottawa in a one-game quarter-final match, with higher-seeded teams getting home court advantage for those quarter-final games.
Guelph plays its final home regular season game Wednesday against Saskatchewan.
Tony Carr led the Rattlers to victory on Thursday evening, flirting with a triple double at 18 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, including six points in Elam time.
Cat Barber scored a game-high 20 points on eight-of-12 shooting for Guelph in a losing effort. AJ Hess delivered 17 points off the bench while Giorgi Bezhanishvili had 15 points. Ahmed Hill added 14.
Saskatchewan outrebounded Guelph 46-32.
The Nighthawks play again on Saturday in Edmonton.
