The result of some key losses in the preseason, the Ravens’ find themselves starting the season outside the CIS top ten, after being among them the entirety of last season. The season opener against the Windsor Lancers was an opportunity to prove themselves against the reigning champions and current top ranked team.
The Lancers would be the first to score when Korissa Williams made one of two early free throws, but they would only hold the lead for 40 seconds before Carleton claimed the lead. The game remained close throughout the quarter with the Ravens building a seven point lead late in the quarter, but Windsor would answer back, cutting the lead to one, but ultimately the Ravens would close the quarter with a jump shot to make it 18-15.
Almost two minutes into the second quarter, McKenzie Sigurdson would drain a 3-point shot to double Carleton’s lead, and the teams would exchange baskets until the mid-point of the period. With three minutes remaining in the half, the Ravens offence came to life with a 9-2 run including five points from Lindsay Shotbolt, taking a 36-24 lead to the break.
Building on the momentum they established before the break, Carleton opened the quarter with a 6-0 run in the first two minutes to take their largest lead of the game at 18 points. Once again, the teams traded baskets for most of the period.
Windsor would own the final four minutes, however, with Carleton committing six turnovers and allowing the Lancers who pulled together a 6-0 run of their own in the last ninety seconds, including back-to-back jumpers from Korissa Williams to reduce the Ravens’ lead to 10 at the buzzer.
The momentum having swung in their favour, the Lancers would score seven more points, extending the Ravens’ scoring drought for the first four minutes of the final frame. With the lead down to three, Sigurdson would sink a key 3-point shot to help Carleton maintain their lead.
Windsor wasn’t done yet, however, and would reclaim their one point lead with 2:18 remaining in the game. Sigurdson, would make her third three point shot to reclaim the lead for her team. Elizabeth Roach would make a pair of free throws to secure a 62-58 win for the Ravens.
For the Ravens, McKenzie Sigurdson led all scorers with 20 points, shooting 80% and a perfect 3/3 from behind the arc. Lindsay Shotbolt scored a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Elizabeth Roach added 10 points, including 4/4 shooting from the free throw line.
Miah-Marie Langlois scored 17 points and had 7 steals to lead her team, who also got strong performances from Jessica Clemencon who just missed a double-double with 15 points and 9 rebounds and Korissa Williams who scored 16 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.
