There was only one blemish on the Carleton Ravens’ otherwise perfect season last year. They finished the season adding OUA and CIS banners to their collection and defeating every team along the way. Every team, that is, except one. The Windsor Lancers came back from a 23-point deficit to defeat the Ravens’ in last year’s season opener with a score of 71-67.
Intent on avoiding a repeat of last season, Thomas Scrubb would open the scoring with a crowd-pleasing dunk five seconds into the game to give the Ravens the lead and kick-off a 9 point first quarter, along with 5 rebounds.
Attempting to keep his team in the game, the Lancers’ Evan Matthews was nearly on pace, scoring 7 points of his own, but Jean-Emmanuel Pierre-Charles also had a strong quarter, adding 6 points to help Carleton build a 23-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter would belong to the other Scrubb brother who managed 10 points, including 6 from the free-throw line. Kevin Churchill would make all four of his free throws to make the Ravens a perfect 10/10 from the free throw line in the quarter. He would add a jumper with fifteen seconds left to send the Ravens to the locker room with a 47-27 lead.
The Ravens would maintain their offensive production in the third period, however they struggled to contain the Lancers, and it was Enrico Diloreto’s turn to lead his team with 13 points in the quarter. Windsor’s offensive push would earn them 24 points in the quarter, but would only cut the lead by a single point, with the Ravens maintaining a 70-51 lead with one quarter left to play.
The offensive onslaught would continue at both ends of the court for both teams. A late 7-0 run by the Ravens would extend their lead to 28 at the 2:18 mark on a three point shot by Clinton Springer-Williams. A last minute push for the Lancers, led by Enrico Diloreto would reduce the margin, but the Ravens would claim their first win of the season 95-74 over Windsor.
Carleton’s top scorer was Philip Scrubb with a game high 24 points, making all 15 of his free throws. Kevin Churchill added 19, earning 7 of 7 from the free-throw line, while Thomas Scrubb contributed 18 points and 7 rebounds.
Enrico Diloreto’s third quarter push would make him the Lancer’s scoring leader with 21 points overall, while Lien Phillip fell just short of a double-double, scoring 20 points and collecting 9 rebounds. Evan Matthews would round-out the top three with 13 points.
Both teams will be in action again on Saturday night, with the Ravens hosting the Western Mustangs, while the Lancers will visit the Ottawa University Gee-Gees.
