The Carleton Ravens women’s basketball team advanced past the Ryerson University Rams with a 74-49 victory.
“[I’m] thrilled that we were able to show up and put everything together . . . I just thought it was all 15 of our people were engaged in the actual result and right from the get-go,” said head coach Taffe Charles.
The Ravens beat the Rams for the third time this season, having got off to a quick start. They led 18-8 after the first quarter, led by Madison Reid’s three-point shooting, inside scoring and defence.
“One of the things I’ve criticized of our team in the past is not playing with a lot of energy,” Charles said. “We were energized right from the jump . . . we knew what was at stake here.”
“We knew it was win or go home, and we didn’t want to go home. Sometimes, it’s that simple.” Charles added.
Reid led the way offensively with 23 points, including five three-pointers. Alyssa Cerino, Nicole Gilmore, and Cynthia Dupont all had double-digit points as well as Carleton extended their lead to 38-17 by halftime.
“We basically said this is all or nothing. So we just got to put ourselves out there and just shoot the open shot,” Reid said.
“If we lose this game, we’re basically done, so we just knew that we had to give it our best shot.”
The Ravens also limited Ryerson’s offence and length as they held Ontario University Athletics (OUA) all-star Sofia Paska to 10 points and 10 rebounds. Charles praised the team’s defence and rookie Sydney Fearon for guarding Paska at times.
“I think she’s been coming along and she’s really helped us,” he said. “And I thought she didn’t play like a rookie out there, which was awesome.”
Fearon had six points and three steals, while guard Karyne Jolicoeur also chipped in with seven points, six rebounds, and three steals off the bench.
Reid said getting the first-round bye was a “blessing” as Carleton didn’t have to play midweek.
“We were all so happy—we were screaming in the change room,” she said when they found out they were getting the bye, which provided rest and extra time for preparation for the Ryerson game.
Carleton’s championship experience also played a factor in the way.
“We’ve done it before. We know what it takes, and we know what level it takes at least as a coaching staff and some of the players on the team,” Charles said.
While the first two games against the Rams were close in the fourth quarter, this one wasn’t.
Carleton extended their lead in the second half. Eventually, all the players who were dressed to play saw the court.
“We were pleasantly surprised,” Reid said. “I mean, I can’t really name you a time and when we basically pulled away. It was basically right from the get-go but we were all really happy and excited.”
The Ravens play the McMaster University Marauders in the semi-finals with an automatic berth to nationals on the line on Feb. 28.
McMaster beat Carleton 64-52 last November in Ottawa. Now, Carleton travels to Hamilton for a rematch of last year’s Critelli Cup finals.
“I’m looking forward to play them again,” Reid said.
“When we played them, it was early in the season so it’s hard to have a baseline from where we were . . . so we’re going to watch a lot of film, we’re going to go through the scout really well and hopefully come out with the W,” she added.
With files by Tim Austen
