In the most anticipated match-up of this CIS season thus far, it’s hard to imagine a game with more story lines. The Ravens and Gee-Gees are not only cross-town rivals, they sit first and second (respectively) in the CIS Rankings and were the only two undefeated teams in the OUA heading into this game. For a different look, let’s break this game down by the numbers.
Inside Shooting
Interestingly enough, both teams have almost identical numbers from inside the arc. The Gee-Gees, on average, make 23.4 of their 43 attempts per game while the Ravens make 23.1 of their 43.9 attempts, giving Ottawa U the inside edge with 54.4% to Carleton’s 52.6%.
The stats held true as the inside battle was a dead heat. Ottawa went 17/39 compared with Carleton’s 17/37. With both teams scoring 34 points from two point range, the game would have to be decided on the perimeter or from the free throw line.
The Stars
Johnny Berhanemeskel averages 24.4 points per game (fourth in CIS) with a season high 34 points against Windsor. Philip Scrubb averages 20.2 points per game, with a monster 44 point performance against McMaster. The Ottawa defense, however, were able to hold Philip Scrubb to just 7 points but he managed 8 assists. Johnny was also below his average, but still provided 17 points to lead his team, adding 8 rebounds.
Free-Throw Shooting
Ottawa made 12/17 free throws in the game for 70.6%, shooting below their season average of 75.7% with 6 fewer attempts. Carleton only missed one of their 16 free throws, taking 7 fewer attempts than their average but shooting well above their 76.2% average at 93.8% in the game.
While both teams made fewer trips to the free throw line, Carlton earned a 3 point advantage from the line.
Three-Point Shooting
The Ravens average 45.1% and were shooting just below that mark (44.1%) in the game, but attempted 10 more than their average allowing them to make 4 more, for a total of 15 made 3-pointers in the game lead by Tyson Hinz who made 4/5 in the first half and 6/9 in the game and Clinton Springer-Williams who was 4/8.
The Gee-Gees were slightly above their season average (36.8%) shooting 37.5% but their 3-point attempts were also on pace with their season, scoring 9/24 with Mike L’Africain going 0/4 in stark contrast to his 5/8 shooting a week earlier against Waterloo when the team went 15/33.
The three-point game goes to Carleton, with an 18-point advantage.
Game Performers
The top performer of the game was Tyson Hinz for the Carleton Ravens who scored a season high 32 points on 11/18 shooting. Thomas Scrubb offered 18 points, 7 rebounds and Clinton Springer-Williams rounds-out the Ravens’ top three with 16 points and 8 rebounds.
Ottawa was led by Johnny Berhanemeskel with 17 points, 8 rebounds and Caleb Agada added 14 points, 4 rebounds. Vikas Gill and Terry Thomas each scored 11 points, while Terry added 7 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.
Conclusion
In the end, #1 beat #2, from the 3-point line. It all adds up to a victory for the Carleton Ravens who won the game on the perimeter, with a little help at the free throw line. The final score: Carleton Ravens 94, University of Ottawa Gee-Gees 73. The two teams will meet again on January 21st at the Canadian Tire Centre for the Annual Capital Hoops Classic.
