The Ottawa BlackJacks gave the Scarborough Shooting Stars their second loss in a thrilling Target Score Time winner. The win came at a crucial point in the season, after a tough win drought recently for the BlackJacks. Head Coach Justin Mazzulla said they simply refused to lose. “We weren't going home with a loss. That was the energy,” said Mazzulla. The BlackJacks haven’t seen a win since June 2, when they beat the number one-seeded team in the Western Conference, the Vancouver Bandits. Clearly, they perform well under pressure. “[We’ve been] beat up for the last couple of 20 days,” said Mazzulla. “These guys just came together as a team and said, ‘You know what? We're not doing that.’” The BlackJacks trailed for the majority of the game, but they didn’t let defeat win. In the fourth quarter, they turned on the jets and managed to tie the game at 78, heading into Target Score Time. While the Shooting Stars were able to hold a steady lead in Target Score Time, the BlackJacks simply refused to lose this one, and with gravity going their way, Shooting Stars players missing crucial shots and really putting the defensive grind on with rebounds, they tied the game again at 86. The next possession won. When Cat Barber, star guard for Scarborough, missed a two-point shot to win it, Matthew Cleveland was able to snatch the rebound and hand it off to Kobe Elvis at the top of the key. Once Elvis saw Alex Fudge coming in hot, he passed it straight to him, who laid it in, and the BlackJacks' drought was no more. “I just had to stay patient. So just letting the game come to me was my main focus,” said Fudge. “And everything came through.” Preparing to face a number-one-seeded team is not easy, especially when luck hasn’t been kind to the BlackJacks recently. But the team was prepared to fight this battle. “Knowing that we had a tough Scarborough opponent, I was ready to take on that challenge,” said Fudge. “I just knew that we had a comeback chip on our shoulders.” “It's a challenge that I want. Everybody wants to be number one, and everybody wants to take off the number one person,” Fudge continued. Fudge was lucky enough to have his parents and brother in the crowd from Florida tonight. With his highest scoring game of the season, with 22 points, they were able to see him shine, a meaningful moment for him. “I just felt different. Just be able to hug them at the game, a good game,” said Fudge. Mazzulla emphasized his trust in his players, especially Fudge. “Alex Fudge, I mean, he's elite. He's really elite,” said Mazzulla about Fudge’s performance tonight. “I put a lot of trust in him. Trust me, I'm as hard on him as his family probably.” Another shining star for the BlackJacks tonight was Justin Harmon. The G-League player ended the game with 21 points. “It just felt good to get back in the win column,” said Harmon. Harmon’s efficiency in this game was unmatched. He finished the game shooting 76 per cent from the field and 90 per cent from two. Mazzulla also highlighted young forward Justin Ndjock-Tadjore. He is in his first year as a professional player, having graduated from the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees during the 2024-25 season. He finished the game playing 13 minutes, had three points, two rebounds, one steal and one block. “I'm just really proud of the guys in there. JNT rose to the occasion,” said Mazzulla.

The Ottawa BlackJacks took a 101-98 loss back at home against the Saskatoon Mamba last night. It was a battle fought until the last possession, but it just didn’t go the BlackJacks way. Despite the loss, there are many positives to this team, a main one being G-League player Matthew Cleveland. Cleveland is currently third in the league for points per game, averaging 25.4 and fifth in the league for rebounds, averaging 8.2. In last night’s game, Cleveland finished with 33 points, six rebounds and three assists. When asked about his impact in his first year in the league he responded, “It means a lot. It means my teammates and coaches have put a great deal of confidence and respect in me.” Another bright spot on the team is Javonte Smart, the franchise record holder for points in a single game. Last night, he finished with 32 points and 10 assists for another double-double performance. Smart is third in the league for assists, averaging seven per game. Even though the team is on a tough losing streak, the BlackJacks are doing a lot of things right. They lead the league in defensive rebounds with a total of 339 on the season. They also lead the league in blocks, with a total of 76. Alex Fudge is second in the league for blocks, with a total of 20, averaging 1.8 per game. “Our players are doing the best that they can, and they're striving for greatness every single day, and this is making them better,” said Head Coach Justin Mazzulla. The BlackJacks have a day to reset before they play the Scarborough Shooting Stars at home tomorrow. The Shooting Stars are currently first in the Eastern Conference and have only taken one loss, which was also to the Saskatoon Mamba, back at the end of May. They are currently on a six-game winning streak, including a win against the BlackJacks on Friday.

June 21 Father’s Day theme game What a better way to finish off your Father’s Day celebrations than a basketball game with dad? The Ottawa BlackJacks will host a Father’s Day game on June 21 to celebrate and to welcome fans back to the Arena at TD Place for the second half of their home games. The game will feature a father and child half-time show, as well as a Father’s Day-themed photo booth, so you can cement your BlackJack’s memories forever. Versus the Saskatoon Mamba The BlackJacks will host the newly rebranded Saskatoon Mamba, formerly the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Ottawa will face Saskatoon tonight at Merlis Belsher Place, before returning to the Arena at TD Place on Sunday to play the Mamba for the first time at home. The rematch will happen just six days later, and fans will see the newly rebranded purple jerseys on the court, rather than the former Rattlers green and white jerseys. The BlackJacks are looking to bounce back after a tough loss in Vancouver on Saturday. The Mamba currently have a 3-5 record compared to the BlackJacks 4-5 record. The game on Sunday will also mark the seventh home game for the BlackJacks, meaning they are officially more than halfway through their season at home. Halfway through the home season reflection With a current 4-5 record mid-way through their first Western Conference road trip, the BlackJacks are currently seated at third place in the Eastern Conference. They have a 3-3 record at home, compared to a 1-2 record on the road. Before heading home to re-match the Mamba, they will make a stop to play the Scarborough Shooting Stars on Friday. The Shooting Stars are currently the number-one-seeded team in the Eastern Conference. Currently on their first road trip of the season, this away streak will really be a test of their grit and longevity when it comes to not having a home court advantage. The team has been finding their rhythm offensively, shooting 47.5 per cent from the field. They are becoming powerhouses on both ends of the court with players like Justin Harmon and Javonte Smart lighting up the front court, and defensively strong players like Matthew Cleveland, Alex Fudge and Drew Cisse leading the charge on the back court. Cleveland is currently second in the league for total defensive rebounds this season with 64. A dominant player on both ends of the court, Cleveland brings diversity to the BlackJacks that has become essential to bringing them to a winning season. Fudge is another defensive bright spot on the BlackJacks. He averages two blocks per game and has a total of 14 blocks on the season. Smart averages eight assists per game and has a total of 55 assists on the season. The franchise record holder for points in a single game is now a veteran on this team and is really becoming a playmaker. Join us on Father’s Day to welcome the BlackJacks back to home court and to celebrate the second half of our at-home season.