Disciplined basketball helped Carleton fly past York. ( Photo: Andrew Lahodynskyj )
The game clock started, the ball came alive and the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East semifinal began at Carleton’s Ravens’ Nest. The intensity of each solid play under dozens of beating white lights and the presence of fan support highlighted a solid effort to defeat the York University Lions 105-57.
Carleton’s men will go on to host the 2009 OUA East Championship Game, on Wed., March 4, at 8:00 p.m. against cross-town rivals the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.
White, red and black jerseys were the driving force from the first minute of the first quarter, to the last of the fourth quarter. The Ravens had some nice 10-point runs, but were just getting started with a 29-12 lead.
Grimy handling and drives towards the basket in the second quarter left Carleton with a 50-27 lead. Third-year guard Mike Kenny took several fast breaks and shot flawlessly from behind the arc for a 21-point, game high performance.
“We ended with a good-looking score, and I don’t want to speak for the other guys, but I think we had a bit of a slow start on the court,” Kenny said. “Sure, we put them away early, but there were a few unnecessary letdowns in our defence, so if anything kills us at nationals, you can bet that’s what it will be.”
Classic, Ravens-style fundamental basketball contributed to outscoring York 55-30 in the second half en route to securing a 48-point victory.
Head coach Dave Smart played every team member over the course of the entire game, each member scoring at least one point for a strong team effort.
Carleton forward Kevin McCleery called the match “good preparation for nationals.”
“I thought we had a lot of confidence and played a pretty good game. It allowed us to give the guys on the bench a chance to play, which hasn’t happened enough this year, so it’s good in every way and will prepare us for the championship,” he said.
The fourth quarter saw a flashier game as Carleton cashed on an increasing lead, finishing with almost double the Lions’ score. Stuart Turnbull landed 18 points, Aaron Doornekamp, well rested after sitting out the last regular season game with an injury, added 16, and Rob Saunders and McCleery both put up 12.
Raven forward Aaron Chapman said the Lions lost confidence early on, and were unable to compete later in the game.
“The [Lions] played okay. I think they lost their confidence because the last few times we played them, they gave us a hell of a better game. They didn’t really bring it this time, but I mean, I’m not complaining!” Chapman said.
The Ravens out-rebounded the Lions 41 to 23, veteran captain Doornekamp leading with nine boards on the night.
Doornekamp said he will be focussed and working on communicating on defence for nationals. But he said energy will be a game tactic for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) National Championships.
“I just plan to get pumped,” he said.
Smart had a different tactic in mind.
“My only goal is to demonstrate the discipline Carleton has seen in this game over the last few consecutive years,” he said.
The win paved the way for Ravens advancement towards the CIS National Championship Tournament from March 13-15 at Scotiabank Place. And while the team is guaranteed a spot in the big dance as hosts, they will be fighting for a top seed as they play host to U of O on Wednesday in the OUA finals.