In their final home game of the 2026 season the Calgary Surge defeated the Niagara River Lions 81-76.

The game was a rematch of the 2025 CEBL Championship final, this time without a trophy on the line.

With one game left in the year, Sean “Rugzy” Miller-Moore called the Surge’s up-and-down 2026 campaign fun.

“It was definitely a learning experience, we’re usually the best team,” the Surge star said.

“I knew our number was common for us to have a bad season, but it’s been great.”

Calgary started Friday night’s matchup off strong, winning the tip-off and scoring first thanks to an Olumide Adelodun three-pointer.

The Surge rode their momentum, controlling much of the first quarter and taking a blank 24-16 lead out of the first frame.

Throughout the second, the Surge sustained their lead. Ultimately, Calgary took a nine-point, 45-36 lead into halftime. Adelodun, a Calgary-native, led the Surge in first-half scoring, with 14 points, including three three-point makes.

Surge head coach David DeAveiro called Adelodun a talented player in the midst of a tough year.

“He’s still figuring out how to play the game. He’s going to make young player mistakes, but you got to live through that. Let Olu be Olu, and give him guidance wherever you can give him guidance,” he said.

“I know it’s been a tough year because he wanted to play more. He’s behind some veterans, and hopefully, with watching those guys, he’s become a better player as well.”

Khalil Ahmad’s 10 points led his River Lions.

Another hometown hero opened second-half scoring, this time it was a Caelum Swanton-Rodger dunk.

After trailing most of the game, Niagara came back and took the lead when Keonte Kennedy gave his team a 67-66 lead with a tip dunk. The River Lions took their lead into target time, 71-70.

In target time, Niagara rattled off two quick buckets and a free throw, putting the River Lions up 76-70.

Thanks to the Surge’s Chicago connection, Niagara’s lead was short-lived. Marlon Johnson and Armani Chaney combined for 9 of the Surge’s last 11 points, with Johnson securing the win with a three-pointer, his fourth of the night.

Post game, Surge team president Dylan Howe invited all fans in attendance to come onto the court and get photos with and autographs from players.

Surge star loyal to Calgary

After their rocky, 1-13 start, Miller-Moore said that Surge players looked themselves in the mirror.

“You just have to ask yourself, ‘What do you want from this and what do you want from this season?’,” he said.

“Once we realized we had a couple kumbayas within the team, we were able to turn the page.”

As a mainstay on the Surge’s roster, Miller-Moore said that he feels the fans’ love and wished this season could’ve ended better.

“I don’t feel pressure with it, it just naturally happened,” he said, when asked how it feels to be a franchise player.

“The best feeling is naturally just being here every day, showing up to work, being committed, and then if it came with that title, that’s cool. It’s a testament to the work I put in and I wish it was a winning season to where this would feel more fulfilling. Hopefully next summer.”

Since his arrival in 2023, Miller-Moore said that Calgary has been nothing but welcoming, both as a city and as a people. 

“They have embraced me since I got here. I wasn’t the highest recruited guy out of college so when I first came here, giving me an opportunity to be myself and show what I can do, the trajectory of my career took off,” he said.

“I always felt like my loyalty was here with Calgary.”

For the final time in 2026, the Surge will take the court on Monday, August 3 against the Saskatoon Mamba.