Ravens Secure Last Spot in Final Four
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Top Performers
Carleton
Tyson Hinz (19), Elliot Thompson (15), Willy Manigat (14)
Concordia
Decee Krah (21), Kyle Desmarais (17), Evens Laroche (10)
HALIFAX, NS–In day one of the CIS National Championships, the number two-ranked Carleton Ravens went head to head with the seven-ranked Concordia Stingers. Both teams were playing in the last game of the evening, that would secure a spot in the final four. Most CIS fans would have expected the Ravens to dominate, however the game was tight all the way through, with the largest lead being only by six. Tyson Hinz became assertive in the second half, after having a quiet start and lead the Ravens to a 73-66 win. Hinz recorded a solid stat line of 19 points, five rebuonds and two assists.
Although Concordia was able to keep the game close, they couldn’t manage to start any of the quarters with a lead. The score was 19-15 for Carleton after the first, 34-33 at half time and 54-52 at the end of the third quarter.
The statistics would eventually be the difference in the game as the Stingers would lose in every category on the board. The Ravens outscored the Stingers 18 to 9 in second chance points, along with another 17 that were converted from Stinger turnovers. Coach John Dore voiced his concerns to a TSN correspondant, “we’re beating ourselves, we have eight turnovers”; This was after 20 minutes of play.
Carleton’s Coach Smart had his boys playing a suffocating man defense that was forcing Concordia to take significantly difficult shot attempts. Concordia’s guard, Decee Krah took on this challenge and has himself a phenomenal outing, registering a game high 21 points, while shooting 44% from the field on 8 for 18.
Elliot Thompson, Carleton’s 3-point man, had a tough night from the perimeter, but dropped some daggers with five minutes left in the game. Krah would respond with a 3 of his own and Thompson would hit again. With the game coming to a close and approximately two minutes left, Carleton would have two shocking turnovers, one of which Concordia would score off of. This wasn’t enough to take the game into extra time, as the Ravens would eventually pull away through a series of free throws.
Hinz concurred he would step up in the second half afteing virtually non-existent ealy on.
“I changed my approach, I just had to move more,” Tinz explained to TSN
The Ravens now advance to the semi-finals and take on Saskatchewan, while the Stingers will face the home town Dalhousie Tigers.
PHOTO COURTESY: CIS
