Sudbury holds off Titans’ furious fourth-quarter rally
The KW Titans pushed the Sudbury Five to the brink Saturday night, but a late surge fell just short in a 116–113 thriller at Sudbury Community Arena.
The Titans erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and had a chance in the final seconds, showcasing the resilience that has defined this group during their recent three-wins-in-four-games stretch.
Sudbury Builds Early Lead
Sudbury opened with energy, jumping out to a 29–23 lead after the first quarter and carrying a 56–52 advantage into halftime. Balanced scoring and efficient perimeter shooting helped the Five build momentum, and by the end of the third quarter they extended their lead to 85–71.
Sudbury’s offensive rhythm was especially strong in the second half, shooting 36 per cent from beyond the arc and outscoring the Titans 52–34 in the paint. The Five also capitalized defensively, forcing 18 turnovers that translated into 31 points and building their cushion.
Titans Explode for 42 Fourth-Quarter Points
But the Titans never backed down.
Led by Ty Groce’s dominant 23-point, 15-rebound performance, Kitchener-Waterloo stormed back in the fourth quarter, pouring in 42 points in the final frame. The Titans’ pace, defensive pressure, and attacking mindset shifted the momentum late.
Former Sudbury guard Jaylen Bland, now wearing Titans colours, added 15 points off the bench in his return to Sudbury, providing timely scoring during the comeback push.
With 12 seconds remaining, Joel Kindred drilled a clutch three-pointer to cut the deficit to 116–113, setting up one final defensive stand. The Titans forced a contested look on the ensuing possession, but Sudbury secured the rebound as time expired.
What This Means for the KW Titans
While the final score favoured Sudbury, the Titans’ fourth-quarter execution reinforced the team’s identity — relentless, composed, and capable of explosive scoring runs.
Saturday’s matchup proved once again that when this group locks in defensively and pushes the pace, they can compete with anyone in the league.
The Titans now turn their attention to a road matchup against the Windsor Express on Wednesday, looking to carry their late-game momentum forward.
Don’t Miss the Next Home Battle
The Titans are building something special and every possession matters as we push toward the playoffs.