Ancaster, ON – In front of a packed Redeemer Royals Athletic Centre crowd on Valentine's Day, the Redeemer Royals Men's Basketball team battled the OCAA's top-ranked St. Clair Saints in a competitive, back-and-forth contest before falling 73-63 in their final home game of the season. The atmosphere reflected the magnitude of the match-up — a full house, high energy, and two teams trading momentum for much of the afternoon.
How It Happened
Redeemer matched St. Clair possession for possession early, finishing the first quarter tied 16-16 against the conference's top team.The Saints edged ahead slightly in the second frame, taking a narrow 34-32 lead into halftime. The Royals' defensive intensity kept the game within reach, limiting St. Clair's efficiency and forcing contested opportunities throughout the half.
The tight battle continued in the third quarter, with St. Clair extending its advantage to 51-47 entering the final frame. Every Saints run was met with a response from Redeemer, as the Royals refused to allow separation. The Royals moved the ball effectively, finishing with 15 assists, but were unable to find consistent rhythm from beyond the arc, shooting 4-of-19 (21.1%) from three-point range. However, St. Clair found timely execution in the closing minutes, outscoring the Royals 22-16 in the fourth quarter to secure the 73-63 victory and clinch the top seed in the OCAA West Division. Redeemer competed hard on the glass and generated key defensive stops, but St. Clair's balanced scoring, especilaly from the bench, and late-game execution proved decisive.
Royals Leaders
Parker Davis led Redeemer with 22 points on 10-of-24 shooting, adding five rebounds and two steals in a determined performance.
Armeen Fazelipour recorded 12 points and nine rebounds while contributing four assists, providing a steady presence inside.
Jason Usuomon added nine points and five rebounds, while Jack Nirula contributed seven points and five boards off the bench.
By the Numbers
Rebounds: St. Clair 46, Redeemer 39
Field Goal Percentage: St. Clair 34.1%, Redeemer 31.6%
Turnovers: 18 apiece
Bench Points: St. Clair 31, Redeemer 12
A Final Home Chapter
Saturday marked the Royals' final home contest of the season, and the Valentine's Day crowd provided an electric backdrop. The strong support inside the Athletic Centre reflects the continued growth of the program and the community surrounding Royals Basketball. While the result did not fall in Redeemer's favour, the performance showcased the grit, resilience, and competitive identity this group has developed, particularly in the latter stretch of the season. The Royals conclude the 2025-26 campaign with a 3-15 record and now turn their focus to the offseason, committed to growth, development, and building toward the future of Redeemer Basketball.
