The Calgary Surge lost the first of the weekend’s two-games with a stunning loss to the Saskatchewan Rattlers.

The 1-5 Rattlers earned their second win of the season in improbable fashion, notching back-to-back three-point-shots to tie the game at 84 and a third three-pointer to win against the Calgary Surge.

The Surge, entering Friday on a four-game winning streak, began target time up 77-71 and sat a single point away from clinching the victory before allowing nine-straight Saskatchewan points, solidifying their second loss of the season, 87-84.

Surge head coach Kaleb Canales credited Saskatchewan, saying his team has to “learn the hard way.”

“(Saskatchewan) stayed with it, hit some threes. I Thought we guarded the three point line pretty well for the whole night, but they hit three in target score,” he said post-game.

“We had multiple chances to finish that game, and we didn’t.”

Despite their night ending on two-straight turnovers, the Surge’s goal is not to change the way they play during target time, according to Canales.

“We coach it every day, not to change. I thought they made a run, I thought we sustained it, and I thought we had an opportunity to win with some put backs, some open looks but had some turnovers,” he said.

Canales said that the team will review film, make corrections and get ready for Sunday’s game. 

“I thought we did a lot of good things, but not good enough to win the game.  I think our transition defense and target score, we just got lost a little bit,” he said.

Greg Brown III, who led the team with 22 points, said that the team needs to continue to be themselves.

“We gotta continue to play our game, that’s what we learned. Don’t worry about anything else and come with our Ps and Qs together,” said Brown III.

“We’re worried about nobody else but us, because we’re the best team to beat by far.”

Brown III said that to help move on from a sour loss, he’s a big “apology guy.”

“If I see something wrong, I’ll go tell my team, yo, that’s my bad. I messed up,” he said.

“I think that’s really big, just accountability and forgiveness and being able to move on.”

Throughout the early goings of the season, Canales and Brown III both emphasized the early season chemistry. 

“I’m a real honest guy, I was frustrated a little in the second quarter because there was about six trips I didn’t get a touch or even be involved in the offense. I’m so comfortable with my teammates that I can go tell them,  yo, ‘I’m feeling a little invisible right now,’ they’ll be like, ‘okay G.’”

Early season chemistry despite injured starter

Brown noted that the team’s typical starting lineup “know how each other think.”

“Rugzy (Miller-Moore), Jameer (Nelson Jr.), Gabe (Osabuohien), Olumide (Adelodun), Khyri (Thomas), us five-six, have a really good chemistry together, because we know what we like to do, we know how each other thinks, and we know what we can do on the court, he said.

“Basically, we just been together for so much, we just very comfortable each other.”

Friday’s game marked the first without guard Khyri Thomas. Canales said he was “banged up.”

“Khyri’s leadership, veteran presence, two-way player, obviously he’s always going to be missed. We want our guys healthy,” Canales said.

Brown III said that Thomas’ presence as a defender and shooter was missed.

“We really could have used him tonight. But, that’s also an opportunity for other guys to step up and do their thing. Javier (Gilgeous-Glasgow) and Will (Tong) they got a chance to suit up today, so that’s great for them,” he said.

“We could use Khyri, but it’s also great for so many other guys to show what they can do.”

Friday’s full box score is available on CEBL.ca.

The Surge return to the court this Sunday for a matinee against the Ottawa BlackJacks.