The Carleton Ravens men’s basketball team fell at the hands of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)’s University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights Aug. 11, dropping the match by a score of 93-84.

Second-year guard Philip Scrubb was the top scorer on either team, putting up 31 points in a losing effort. Other Ravens to reach double digits included fifth-year guards Willy Manigat and Elliot Thompson, who earned 14 points each, and second-year forward Thomas Scrubb, who scored 11 points.

On the other side of the court, third-year forward Keith Clanton scored 25 points and fourth-year forward P.J. Gaynor added 23 points in the Knights’ win.

The Ravens were without the services of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) MVP Tyson Hinz and veteran guard Cole Hobin, who are both playing for Team Canada in the Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, China. Fifth-year guard Aaron Chapman has also left the team in an attempt to bring his type I diabetes under control.

Their absence made a difference, according to head coach Dave Smart.

“We didn’t defend very well. They shot 57 per cent, so obviously [Hobin] helps in that way,” he said. “But we’ve still got to do a better job defensively.”

“Obviously, missing those guys hurts,” added Philip Scrubb. “But we’ve got other guys who need to step up and we’ve got some guys who can make shots just as well.”

The matchup was highly physical from the tip-off until the final buzzer. Much of the game was decided at the free-throw line, with both teams combining for 56 fouls.

Ravens rookie Justin Shaver and fourth-year forward Kyle Smendziuk fouled out in the second half, while Marcus Jordan — son of former NBA great Michael Jordan — did likewise for the Knights. Jordan’s last foul was the result of a technical foul given after an argument with the referee.

Jordan was kept scoreless until midway through the second half, finishing the game with six points.

UCF took advantage of lax defensive play by the Ravens, draining 57 per cent of their chances from the paint. Carleton, meanwhile, suffered from some missed opportunities, ending with a 38 per cent shooting percentage.

The Ravens were given two opportunities to get back in the game in the second half. Both Jordan and UCF coach Donnie Jones received technical fouls in separate incidents, but the Ravens were unable to capitalize from the free-throw line.

“We really could have won two out of three [NCAA games], for sure,” Smart said. “Even tonight’s game, we had a chance and we didn’t do it.”

The game marked Carleton’s third against NCAA competition, and second-year guard Gavin Resch noted that there wasn’t much of a difference between these teams and CIS competition.

“They’re just a lot bigger and they’re more athletic than us,” he said. “Other than that, I don’t see a lot of difference.”

Scrubb agreed, adding that both clubs are very similar in terms of skills.

The Ravens will be back in action on Aug. 16, when the University of Akron Zips will drop by the Ravens’ Nest for a 7 p.m. matchup.