ST. CATHARINES, Ontario (Interstat) — The Niagara River Lions host the Saskatoon Mamba on Friday at Meridian Centre in a Canadian Elite Basketball League matchup, with both teams seeking consistency after uneven starts to the season.

Niagara brings a 6-7 record into the contest after a 101-84 victory at Hamilton on Monday. The River Lions are 4-2 at home this season. Saskatoon enters the game at 4-5 after a 96-94 home win against the Ottawa Blackjacks on Monday.

The game features two of the league’s top performers. Niagara guard Khalil Ahmad is coming off a 37-point, nine-assist, six-rebound outburst against Hamilton, playing 30 minutes. In his previous two games, Ahmad had 14 points in a win over Montreal and 20 points, four rebounds and three assists in a loss to Scarborough. He leads the River Lions in scoring.

For Saskatoon, center Jaden Bediako has recorded three consecutive double-doubles. He had 13 points and 12 rebounds against Ottawa after posting 14 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks at Calgary and 17 points and 10 rebounds against Winnipeg. Bediako is averaging 14.7 points and 11.3 rebounds over those three games.

Niagara has won two of its last three, with the only loss coming Wednesday against Scarborough. The River Lions struggled early in the season, losing five of their first seven games. Their home schedule has been favorable, with only two losses at Meridian Centre.

Saskatoon has been inconsistent, winning two straight after a three-game losing streak in late May and early June. The Mamba’s victories have come by an average of 4.5 points, while their losses have been by double digits in three of five defeats.

Niagara’s Keonte Kennedy added 19 points, five rebounds and one assist in the win over Hamilton, while Nathan Cayo contributed 11 points, six rebounds and four assists. For Saskatoon, Tevian Jones had 16 points and three rebounds in Monday’s win, and Jaylin Williams added 13 points and seven rebounds.

The CEBL season is in its early stages, with both teams facing heavy schedules ahead. Saskatoon plays at Ottawa on Sunday, while Niagara visits Scarborough the same day.