Calgary Surge outlast Winnipeg Sea Bears, book ticket to CEBL playoffs
WINNIPEG — The Calgary Surge have booked their ticket to the Canadian Elite Basketball League playoffs for the third straight year with a 93-89 win over the Sea Bears in Winnipeg on Thursday night.
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The win moves the Surge to 12–6 on the season, making them the third team to clinch a spot in the 2025 CEBL playoffs. Meanwhile, the Sea Bears drop to 6–10.
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Calgary has yet to miss the postseason since the franchise relocated from Guelph, Ont., in 2022.
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Greg Brown III led the charge on Thursday with a double-double, posting 20 points and 10 rebounds. The former G-Leaguer has made an instant impact in his debut CEBL season, climbing past Vancouver's Mitch Creek to take over second place in league scoring.
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Brown took over in the first half on Thursday, keeping the Surge within striking distance during Winnipeg's early offensive push.
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'My teammates have been helping me get to my spots and opening up the game for me,' Brown said on what has been the greatest factor in his success. 'They keep talking to me, where the angles are, where the space is … they have been helping me this whole season.'
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'I watched Gremlins growing up, and they run when light comes,' Brown added, explaining his unconventional inspiration. 'You always must show up when it matters and when the lights come on. I've always had that mentality from when I started playing until now.'
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While Brown stole the spotlight, the Surge's success continues to come from balanced contributions across the roster. Four other players hit double figures, including 16 points off the bench from Jamorko Pickett — a testament to Calgary's status as a multi-headed offensive monster that's tough to slow down.
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Sean Miller-Moore (18 points), Khyri Thomas (16) and Evan Gilyard Jr. (15) also reached double figures for the Surge.
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Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor stressed the importance of strong defensive execution to contain Calgary's firepower, aiming to force them into transition and create opportunities on the other end.
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'I think we did a very good job executing our game plan,' Taylor said. 'Controlling the tempo and trying to keep them out of transition for the majority of the game. But in terms of those crucial possessions, we've got to be better.'
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