Sudbury Five stave off elimination with Game 3 win over KW Titans

The Sudbury Five pulled within one game of the Basketball Super League championship series on Tuesday night, defeating the KW Titans 121-106 at home in the Sudbury Community Arena in front of more than 1,500 fans.

The defending BSL champions entered the contest trailing 2-0 in the best-of-five series after dropping the first two games in Kitchener. Veteran guard Charlie Marquardt, named the BSL’s 2026 MVP last week, returned to the lineup after missing Game 2 and finished with 26 points on nine-for-14 shooting, including five-for-seven from three-point range.

Marquardt’s return sparks offence

Marquardt logged 41 minutes and added five steals and one assist. His presence helped Sudbury shoot 62.9 per cent from the field and 56.5 per cent from beyond the arc.

“It’s just about feeling that pressure, and knowing pressure is privilege,” Marquardt said in the post-game press conference.

“You’re not important if you don’t have pressure on you.”

He credited his teammates for his performance, saying: “I have the easy job, honestly. They set me up so well. Like I told them, that MVP award is really theirs because I’m nothing without them and the rest of the team.”

Sudbury controls glass, builds early lead

The Five outscored KW 30-23 in the first quarter and pushed the lead to 72-51 by halftime. Sudbury finished with 56 points in the paint and 40 bench points.

Duane Notice logged a double-double with 19 points and eight assists to go with three rebounds. Emmanuel Akot added 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Tarkus Ferguson paced the Titans with 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench in 36 minutes, while Charlie Marquardt of the Five had two rebounds and one steal in addition to his scoring.

Sudbury head coach Joey Puddister said rebounding had been the focus after the first two games.

“Anytime you get outrebounded by that much, there’s nothing – like, we can look at some other tactical stuff, but that’s the main story of the game,” Puddister said following the game.

“So yeah, we stepped up tonight.”

Titans unable to answer second-half push

KW shot 49.3 per cent from the field and 34.1 per cent from three, but committed 11 turnovers and were outscored 56-38 in the paint.

James Towns led the Titans in scoring with 20 points.

KW head coach Cliff Clinkscales said his team was outplayed in the desperation department.

“They just wanted them more,” Clinkscales said.

“Their back was against the wall. They’re the defending champs. It’s not going to be easy.”

Looking ahead

Puddister said the plan for Game 4 will remain unchanged.

“Stick to the same plan,” he said following the game.

Clinkscales said KW will go back to practice and video work.

“Just go back to the drawing board, get back in practice, watch film and get better,” he said.

Game 4 is scheduled for Monday in Sudbury. A Sudbury win Monday would force a decisive Game 5 in Kitchener on April 29.