Carleton Consistent in Domination
Top Performers
Carleton: Tyson Hinz Pts: 29, Reb: 13, Ast: 4, Stl: 1, Min: 27
McMaster: Andrew Wasik Pts: 16, Reb: 3, Ast: 1, FG% 6-9, Min: 21
OTTAWA,ON—After defeating Carleton’s cross-town rival Ottawa U 77-73 in a key road victory, the Toronto Varsity Blues roll into the Ravens Nest with high expectations. At 7-2 the Varsity Blues pose perhaps the biggest challenge to the undefeated Carleton Ravens team in the OUA East and more fans along with media came out for this game, more than any previous match up hosted in the Raven’s Nest this season. Carleton, however, had other plans.
After U of T opened the scoring, Carleton went on an 11-0 run sparked by a Phil Scrubb 3-pointer, and Elliot Thompson’s defense and shooting. During this run, Andrew Wasik, starting centre for the Blues, is hit in the head by Thompson opening a gash on the side of Wasik’s head. In retaliation Wasik flips Thompson “WWE style” on to the hardwood. After receiving minor repairs on the bench, Wasik returned to the game to post a team-high 16 points while wearing a mummy-like bandaid wrap around his head for 
the remainder of the first half.
Perhaps this sparked the U of T response with two lay-ins from Anthony DeGiorgio followed by a three-pointer to close the gap to 14-11. Carleton regained its composure with Cole Hobin blocking a desperation jumpshot by Justin Holmes resulting in a shot-clock violation. On offense Tyson Hinz used footwork and positioning to secure a basket plus the foul and had a long end-to-end runout for a tough lay-in, and Kenny Thomas and Willy Manigat patrolled the perimeter hitting open shots to return the lead to double digits at 23-13, and carried that lead to halftime with a score of 45-33.
Tyson Hinz scored 23 in the first half and opened the second half with a block. Andrew Wasik continued to work in the post for the Blues, this time without the band-aid, but it is Carleton’s intense defense and excellent ball movement on offense that lead to a steal and a three-pointer for Ravens forward Cole Hobin. Sean Nickel comes off the bench cold for the Blues and hits an immediate 3-pointer, while Anthony DeGiorgio intercepted a pass and threw the assist of the night into the paint for the basket, but Carleton remained consistent. The only scare for the Ravens came when Elliot Thompson went down cluthing his ankle near the end of the 3rd quarter, but after limping off he returned to the court only twenty seconds later.
With this win, Carleton is a 10-0 undefeated team, playing their best basketball of the season thus far, and remain consistent in their approach to every game. A potent offense and powerful defense has allowed Carleton fans to become complacent, while accustomed to blowing out opposing teams. Carleton seems to be on another level, and make well-prepared “tough opponents” look like they are merely highschool teams. The Ravens play their next opponents at Queen’s on Friday January 14, 2011.
