The Carleton Ravens men’s basketball team exorcised their Ontario University Athletics (OUA) demons Nov. 26, beating the Lakehead Timberwolves in a tight, 88-85 game.
The Timberwolves were the only OUA team to beat the Ravens last year, knocking them off in the OUA final.
The Timberwolves, ranked third in the country, provided a tough test for the Ravens, pushing them to the final buzzer.
“They just keep on coming back at you hard all game, that sets them apart from other teams,” Ravens head coach Dave Smart told Lakehead’s athetics department.
Unlike their previous night’s game against the Guelph Gryphons, Carleton was pressed right from the whistle. Carleton grabbed an early three-point lead halfway through the first quarter, only to see Lakehead catch up and take their own four-point lead.
The second quarter was all about playing catch-up. The Timberwolves refused to surrender the lead despite some persistent Ravens pressure. With the Ravens down 32-36, the team needed a shift in momentum.
Sophomore guard Philip Scrubb responded to the challenge, sinking seven points in the third quarter to re-gain the lead for the Ravens.
With 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Lakehead came within one point of the Ravens, but fifth-year guard Willy Manigat went to the line and sealed the Ravens’ 88-85 win.
The Ravens had an easier time in their Nov. 25 matchup against the Gryphons. Carleton controlled the flow of the game with Elliot Thompson dominating outside the paint, sinking two three point baskets in the first quarter.
The Ravens scored 16 unanswered points starting in the third quarter and continued to overpower their opponents until the final buzzer, winning 98-55.
With the wins, the Ravens cement their status as the No. 1 nationally ranked team in the country and maintain their undefeated 7-0 record this season.
The Ravens are back in action at home Dec. 2 against the University of Waterloo Warriors.
