The BlackJacks keep it tight against Scarborough in final regular season home game

The Ottawa BlackJacks played what could be their final home game of the season last night. The game against the Scarborough Shooting Stars was a back-and-forth battle, ultimately taken by Scarborough.

The 113-106 loss was dominated by third-year veteran Isaih Moore, who returned to Ottawa halfway through the season. In his seventh game with the BlackJacks this season, he is averaging 15.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and two assists per game. 

Last night, Moore finished with 24 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals. He shot 76 per cent from the field and 90 per cent from two, only missing one close-range shot the entire game. 

“[I’m] happy, but not satisfied without the win,” said Moore about his play last night. “Got to put [this game] behind us, but these next 2 games are really important,” said Moore. 

For the final regular-season home game at The Arena at TD Place, the BlackJacks’ theme of the game was fan appreciation. Moore, who has been with the BlackJacks since his rookie season in 2024, says the Ottawa fans mean a lot to him. 

“There's no place like Ottawa, no place like our fans, no home like ours,” said Moore. 

Moore even said that Ottawa fans will text him on Instagram during his G League season to make sure he’s doing well and to check in if he’ll be returning to Ottawa. And most importantly, they’ll tell him they miss his dunks. 

“To hear the roar from the fans, I know I must look crazy. To me, it just feels like another dunk,” said Moore on his poster-worthy shots. 

For Head Coach Justin Mazzulla, Fan Appreciation Night meant a lot to him personally. In his first professional head coach position, he said the fans in Ottawa really accepted him, and he tries to give back to them after every game by going to the logo and clapping for them with the whole team. 

The crowd last night was especially loud. 

“I think today was amazing to be in an environment that everyone stood up and clapped and chanted ‘Blackjacks,’” said Mazzulla on the energy in TD Place. “And that's going to carry us into this next round where we want to get the home-court advantage in the playoffs.” 

The BlackJacks head on the road for four games to finish their regular season. Currently sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference, wins in the away column will be crucial to bring them to second place and host a playoff game. 

First, they will head to Montreal to play the Alliance on Friday, and then head across the province for their final match-up with the Niagara River Lions on Sunday. In these final Eastern Conference meet-ups, wins are essential to keeping their playoff position.