The Carleton University Ravens finished sixth at the 2020 U Sport Final 8 Championships after losing the consolation final 66-61 to the Calgary Dinos.
Though they were playing away from home, the Dinos found themselves in a familiar place. Two years ago they took home the consolation title, that same year the Ravens won the entire tournament.
As they did in the semi-final, Ravens head coach Brian Cheng used the entirety of his bench to push the Dinos.
Carleton was without fifth-year veteran Alyssa Cerino, who did not dress for the game but senior players Madison Reid and Jaclyn Ronson stepped up, scoring a combined 35 points.
Carleton got off to a quick start right from tip-off at the Ravens Nest. Often a side who takes a while to get into their groove, they took a 10-4 lead just three minutes in. By the end of the first, they were in front 22-17.
In the second, Damian Jennings’ side changed their approach, turning on their defensive skills to limit Cheng’s Ravens to 11 points. The Dinos went on a 10 point streak and ended the second up 37-33.
“It was a quick, fast and aggressive game, Calgary came out really strong,” said Ravens rookie Kali Pocrnic. “Give us a run for [our] money.”
Coming out into the third, the game was a defensive battle with both teams only putting up a combined 21 points. Calgary made a point to double-team Pocrnic (who led her team in minutes on the court [35]) in attempts to shut down any movement up the court.
“I thought we got the better of them early,” said Cheng.
“And then, you know, fortunately they sort of regroup. They’re a good team, they’re a top ranked team and they kind of regrouped and have multiple waves,” said Cheng.
“We sort of punched it even with them and then they just got that last little spurt on us.”
Though visibly frustrated, the Ravens weren’t backing down.
With 5:26 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Reid hit another three to bring the Ravens within three points of tying the game. The Dinos precision, however, continued to extend their lead.
Hard drives to the net from Pocrnic and Tatyanna Burke made it 62-58 with two minutes left, but multiple fouls allowed the Dinos to step up to the line and extend their lead.
Eventually, Carleton’s efforts weren’t enough and they couldn’t close in on the gap.
After the game, Cerino gave her thoughts on the young players moving up through the ranks.
“We’re really young, so I think even just getting this experience at nationals is really good for the younger players,” she said. “I’m super excited for them … we’re so talented and again, just getting that experience now [it’s] only going to help them.”
The Ravens finished the 2019-20 season with an 18-9 record.
Feature image by Tim Austen
