The Carleton Ravens men’s basketball team defeated the University of Ottawa Gee-Gee’s Wednesday 96-61 in front of a packed Ravens Nest on Feb. 26 to move onto the Wilson Cup finals and secure their spot in the U Sports Final 8.
Before the victory, Carleton was already celebrating as the team honoured Coach of the Year Taffe Charles, Rookie of the Year Lloyd Pandi and All-Stars Munis Tutu and Yasiin Joseph.
Prior to tip off, the season series between the Ravens and Gee-Gees was split at one game each with Ottawa handing Carleton their only loss of the regular season at Capital Hoops Classic (68-67).
In the tournament semi-final however, Ottawa was without leading scorer Calvin Epistola, who has averaged 19 points per game and scored two clutch free throws to help the Gee-Gee’s dethrone the Ravens’ perfect record.
In the eyes of Ravens head coach Taffe Charles, Carleton needed to improve.
“We learned a lot of lessons from the last game we played against them, I thought we could have done a lot better,” said Charles.
“I think we played hard. They kind of out rebounded us for a bit, but we had a game plan,” said fifth year guard Marcus Anderson. “I think we executed it pretty well.”
Carleton drew away at the end of the first quarter going on a 12-0 run led by Anderson who nailed a three, and later set up Alain Louis for a lay up. Louis finished the night with a team high 20 points.
Carleton’s three point shooting remained strong as the Ravens hit 50 per cent from the line compared to Ottawa’s 35 per cent. Making use of the space was part of the plan, according to Anderson.
“It’s part of our game plan, creating open shots, creating closeouts, our point guards did a good job of getting in the paint and creating good shots,” he said.
The highlight of the night came in the second quarter when Tutu faked a deke and pulled back for a fadeaway jump shot while the dazed Gee-Gee defender fell to the ground.
“With all things considered I was happy with our performance today,” said Charles. “We’re at home as well and you always get a little lift at home.”
Carleton will now play Western University in the Wilson cup final after they won an overtime thriller against Wilfrid Laurier University 104-103.
“I haven’t thought about it yet but we’re going to prepare as well as we do for any game and play hard and hopefully come out with the win,” said Anderson.
Both teams will hit the court on Feb. 29 at 8 p.m. in the Ravens Nest.
Feature image by Spencer Colby.
