Carleton’s women’s basketball team is heading to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East Finals for the first time in the program’s history.
The Ravens secured a spot in the final with their 68-46 victory against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues Feb. 21. Guard Alyson Bush led all Ravens with 17 points, despite finding herself in foul trouble early on.
“When she got back out there, she really took over the game,” said head coach Taffe Charles, who also commended forward Ashleigh Cleary for her play at both ends of the court.
Charles acknowledged that reaching the OUA East Finals for the first time is an accomplishment, but he said it’s an accomplishment that would taste much sweeter with another victory.
“We try not to think about that too, too much,” Charles said. “Hopefully we’re successful, and if we’re successful we can look back on that. We are excited about it but at the same time, we’re really focused on winning that game.”
That game will come on Feb. 27 when the Ravens host the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees for top spot in the east. The Ravens have defeated their cross-town rivals in all three meetings this year.
However, this time the stakes will be much higher. The winner will earn a berth to the OUA final Mar. 6.
“I hope we don’t get complacent thinking that just because we beat them three times we’ll beat them again,” said Charles, who said he hopes to keep the Gee-Gees to 40 or 50 points. “They’re going to be very, very motivated.”