The Stingers scorched the Surge 97-79 in front of a record-setting CEBL crowd

The Edmonton Stingers had Tuesday's season opener on the calendar months ago, determined to beat a provincial rival that gave them nothing but headaches last year.

In front of a Canadian Elite Basketball League record crowd of 12,327 at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the visiting Stingers kicked off their shopping trip in style with a 97-79 dunk over the Calgary Stampeders.

Alberta teams squared off five times in 2023, and the Surge dominated. Calgary won three of four regular-season games before eliminating Edmonton in the Western Conference semifinals.

Davion Warren led the Stingers with 17 points and five rebounds. Adika Peter-McNeilly and Ben Crick had 15 points each.

Justin Lewis led the Surge with 16 points and a rebound, while Sean Miller-Moore had 15 points and seven rebounds.

The Stingers led 49-36 at the half.