Few CIS games this season will have more sub-plots than the annual Capital Hoops Classic, hosted at the Canadian Tire Centre. The event features the Carleton Ravens and the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, one of the fiercest cross-town rivalries in the CIS.
In addition to the bitter rivalry, the teams are currently ranked #1 and #2 in the CIS rankings, with Ottawa’s only loss coming at the hands of the undefeated Carleton Ravens on November 29th, 2013. The Gee-Gees won the inaugural CHC by two points in 2007, but have lost every game since, but kept it interesting last year, only losing by 5 points, the largest margin in their three meetings last season.
The Ravens started the game in good form at both ends of the court. On offence, the Ravens shot 50%, including 4-7 from behind the three-point line. Six different shooters contributed in the first quarter, including 6 points and 4 rebounds from Thomas Scrubb and 5 points in four minutes from Victor Raso.
At the other end, they maintained strong pressure on the Gee-Gees who only shot 21% in the quarter, making only one of their six three-point attempts with Vikas Gill leading his team’s with the only three-point basket of the quarter. The Ravens would hold a 22-11 after 10 minutes of play.
The second quarter was more of the same with Philip Scrubb contributing 9 of his game-high 19 points in the second quarter and six points each from Tyson Hinz and Clinton Springer-Williams. The Ottawa shooters continued to struggle, with Johnny Berhanemeskel and Vikas Gill the leading scorers with six first half points each. The Ravens would take a comfortable 48-23 lead into half-time.
The Gee-Gees, determined not to let the Ravens run away with the game, mounted a 12-3 run in the first 4 minutes of the third quarter led by Terry Thomas, scoring 9 in the third quarter and Johnny Berhanemeskel adding 6. They would hold the Ravens to 29% shooting, only 13 third-quarter points, 7 coming from Thomas Scrubb. The lead would be cut by 10 in the third quarter, but the Ravens would maintain a 61-46 lead heading into the final frame.
The Gee-Gees would not find the energy to maintain their third-quarter push, and would the final quarter would belong to the Ravens, who led in every statistical category, including out-rebounding Ottawa 47-34 in the game.
Philip Scrubb would lead his team with 19 points while Thomas Scrubb would post a double-double with 15-points and 11 rebounds. Tyson Hinz and Victor Raso also posted double-digit performances with 15 and 13 points respectively and Tyson adding 9 rebounds.
Terry Thomas’ 13 points and Johnny Berhanemeskel ‘s 12 points would be the only double-digit performances for the Gee-Gees, who only shot 32% in the game.
In the end, the Ravens would over-power the Gee-Gees, who’s third quarter push wasn’t enough to get them back in the game. Carleton would claim their 7 consecutive Capital Hoops Classic and maintain their perfect season record.
