The NBML Championship Weekend & Inaugural Season in Review
NBML CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND: SPARTANS CONQUER RIVER BANDITS TO CLAIM INAUGURAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
📅 Semi-finals - June 28th, 2025 | Final - June 29th, 2025 📍 G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre, Saint John
SEMI-FINAL 1: River Bandits 81 (5), Flying Dutchman 55 (1)
Despite holding the River Bandits to their lowest scoring total of the season, the Flying Dutchman were unable to capitalize in the first semi-final. Having consistently torched opponents from the 3-point line throughout the regular season, the Flying Dutchman shot just 17% from behind the arc in the loss. The surging River Bandits, meanwhile, extended their winning streak to four games en route to their finals birth. BNB alum and Memorial Seahawks forward, Norm Burry, has averaged 30 points per game and 12 rebounds per game during the River Bandits four game winning streak.
Top Performers:
River Bandits
Norm Burry - 24 pts, 13 reb
Chris Spurrell - 18 pts, 6 reb
Flying Dutchman
Owen Smith - 15 pts, 9 reb
Ethan Szemerda - 14 pts, 8 reb
SEMI-FINAL 2: Spartans 114 (3), Hightoppers 109 (2)
At halftime, with a commanding lead of 68-47, it appeared the Spartans had all but locked up their trip to the NBML final. The Hightoppers, however, had other plans. The third quarter saw the Hightoppers launch a comeback that would cut the Spartans lead down to three. Led by UNB Reds, Marcus Barnes and Brandon Laryea, who finished with a combined 65 points and 27 rebounds, the Hightoppers fought to the bitter end, ultimately losing by five. Barnes and Laryea were countered by fellow UNB Reds, Eden Otshudi and Mark Tobin, who combined for 65 points and 17 rebounds for the finals bound Spartans.
Top Performers:
Spartans
Eden Otshudi - 34 pts, 8 reb
Mark Tobin - 31 pts, 9 reb
Hightoppers
Marcus Barnes - 43 pts, 6 reb
Brandon Laryea - 22 pts, 21 reb
FINAL: Spartans 97 (3), River Bandits 90 (5)
In what was slated to be an offensive onslaught, the NBML final did not disappoint. The Spartans high-powered offence erupted with Otshudi, Tobin, and BNB alumni, Ben Power and Jack Fury-Miller, combining for 88 of the teams 97 points. Despite a heroic second-half performance from BNB alum, Jack Tilley, in which he scored 18 of this 24 points, the River Bandits were unable to overcome a 32-13 second quarter from the Spartans. The Spartans victory saw Power, Fury-Miller, and Cole Fitzgerald, all Saint John natives, claim the inaugural NBML Championship on home turf at the G. Forbes Elliot Athletic Centre.
Top Performers:
Spartans
Ben Power - 25 pts, 13 reb
Eden Otshudi - 24 pts, 8 reb
River Bandits
Jack Tilley - 24 pts, 6 ast
Norm Burry - 23 pts, 15 reb
🎥 Watch NBML Championship Weekend games, produced in collaboration with Maritime Athletic Profiles, at:
Maritime Athletic Profiles YouTube Account
🎥 Watch past NBML games at:
BNB Youtube Account
In an inaugural season that saw dozens of current, former, and committed university athletes suit-up, the NBML demonstrated the depth and variety of talent present in the province of New Brunswick. Thank you to everyone who supported the NBML this season and helped make it the success that it was.
