Sea Bears Make History, Down Mamba 99-88 in First-Ever Franchise Playoff Win
The Winnipeg Sea Bears earned the first playoff victory in franchise history Thursday night at Canada Life Centre, defeating the Saskatoon Mamba 99-88 to open their 2026 playoff run.
A 53-point first half set a new franchise record for points scored in a single half in the playoffs, topping the previous mark of 46 set in the second half against Calgary in 2024. Winnipeg led by as many as 18 and never surrendered the advantage.
Jelani Watson-Gayle was the story of the night. The guard — who was on the Sea Bears roster for their inaugural season when Winnipeg fell to Edmonton in the playoffs — erupted for 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including a scorching 6-of-10 from deep. "I was here the first inaugural season and we lost to Edmonton," Watson-Gayle said. "Isaiah's been getting on to me about it this whole week, but it just feels good to get that first win, especially here at Canada Life Centre. I felt like I was due one of those games. It came at the right time."
Xavier Moon anchored the offence with 20 points across nearly 40 minutes, running the group with the poise that has defined his season. He arrived to his postgame media availability wearing a Deadpool shirt, a tribute to Teddy Allen. "We knew we were underman," Moon said. "We knew guys were gonna have to step up, and everybody did that tonight." Isiah Osborne added 19 points, the bench combined for 32, and the team finished with just two turnovers all night.
D.J. Burns delivered one of the plays of the night with a massive block late in the fourth quarter before target time, sending the building into a frenzy. In a quieter but meaningful moment, Ramogi Nyagudi checked in to record his first minutes of the 2026 season.
Head coach Mike Raimbault credited the group's concentration and depth, and let the weight of the moment land. "The level of concentration and commitment to doing the small things from our group, from top to bottom, was exemplary," he said. "To be here for three summers with really talented teams and not come out with a playoff victory — and now to have done it, it means so much."
Tavian Dunn-Martin's 28 points gave Saskatoon a fight, but it wasn't enough against a Sea Bears team locked in from start to finish.
UP NEXT
The Sea Bears advance to the Western Conference Finals on Saturday against the Vancouver Bandits, and the road trip is on. Watch live on TSN, CBC and stream on CBC Gem, CBCSports.ca, TSN+, CBC YouTube, CEBL YouTube and CEBL+Tip-off is at 2:30 p.m. CT.