Carleton survives scare at Capital Hoops Classic
Top Performers,
Carleton: Tyson Hinz Ottawa U: Warren Ward
Pts: 25, Reb: 10, Ast: 1, FT: 5-7, Min: 38 Pts: 22, Reb: 9, Ast: 5, FT: 0-1, Min: 35
Ottawa,ON— With their 14-0 perfect record on the line, the Carleton Ravens men’s basketball team didn’t look like the team to beat in CIS basketball after the first quarter but ultimately came away with the 78-65 win over cross-town rivals the Ottawa U GeeGees.
Warren Ward led the GeeGees early, scoring Ottawa’s first seven points. Elliot Thompson of Carleton hit a three-pointer of his own but the Ottawa shooting storm continued. Three-pointers by Johnny Berhanemeskel, Jacob Gibson-Bascombe, and Yacob Issayas stunned the Ravens. Ottawa U took a 23-9 first quarter lead with quick play, outrunning and outgunning the Ravens. The GeeGees shots were not, however, going to fall all night long as Carleton forward Tyson Hinz argues “they made all their shots early, it was up to us to defend and respond, we knew they weren’t going to make all of them.” 
The Ravens responded in a big way outscoring the GeeGees 22-9 in the second quarter. With free throws and points around the basket by Hinz and Phil Scrubb, Carleton slowed the tempo and controlled the game at a pace they were comfortable with. Still, Carleton trailed 32-31 at halftime and needed to “slow down, focus and do the little things” as Carleton coach Dave Smart puts it.
After an extended locker room huddle, the reinvigorated Ravens emerge from the dressing room ready to build a lead. Points from Phil Scrubb, Elliot Thompson and Cole Hobin come after Carleton is able to find a way to consistently beat the half-court press that the GeeGees set up and take the lead 70-52.
Even with the lead and the game in hand, Carleton takes competes cautiously and plays as if it were a playoff game; fitting to align with the post season atmosphere.
Tyson Hinz finished the game with a double-double, but is visually shaken after allowing an open shot when he missed a defensive rotation and explains “we just need to get a hand up on them and really challenge them to get by us.” Late in the game Ottawa U was able to get a couple second-chance opportunities and tip-ins near the basket, but Carleton guard Willy Manigat quells the run with a three-pointer to put the game far out of reach even though Warren Ward ends the game with consecutive three-pointers.
Carleton wins the game 78-65 and extends their undefeated streak to 15-0. Their biggest strength in this game was simultaneously being able to get to the line, while keeping their opponents off of it. Carleton. As a team, the Ravens shot 14 of 20 from the charity stripe, while limiting Ottawa U to only 2 of 3. Carleton looks to extend their streak on Friday against more-than-struggling RMC, and Saturday against Queen’s University.
