Ottawa, On – (BasketballBuzz) – The No. 2 Carleton Ravens limited the No. 3 Alberta Golden Bears to just four points in a decisive third quarter to cruise into 2014 CIS Final 8 National Championship game with a 74-55 victory over the Canada West champions in the first national semi-final at the Canadian Tire Centre.
The Ravens started slow in the first five minutes, largely due to the Golden Bears defensive abilities which carried them to the 2014 Canada West title. Alberta forced Carleton into three early turnovers and with the game tied at at 10-10 the defending champions behind Thomas Scrubb held Alberta scoreless for over eight minutes between the first and second quarters and led 25-10 with 5:45 to play in the second quarter.
The Golden Bears were forced to play much of the first half without first-team All-Canadian Jordan Baker who was forced to the bench with three early fouls. Alberta showed their depth and once again turned to their defense by outscoring Carleton 15-5 the rest of the way to trim the Ravens lead to 29-25 at half-time.
Like their earlier run the Ravens came out gunning in the third quarter with a 18-1 run, holding Alberta without a field goal until the 1:33 as Canada West Rookie of the Year Mamadou Gueye finally scored on a layup, by then it was too late for the Golden Bears as the Ravens were up 47-29 and well on their way to their fourth straight CIS Men’s Basketball Championship game.
Thomas Scrubb led all scores with a game-high 22 points, seven rebounds and Philip Scrubb was equally impressive with 21 points, six assists and four rebounds in the Ravens decisive 24-point victory.
Alberta simply couldn’t find the basket and was limited to just 31% shooting (20/63) and just 4-of-20 from the outside. Jordan Baker finished his outstanding career with a disappointing 9 points and five rebounds.
Ravens captain Tyson Hinz added a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to help Carleton hold a 45-35 advantage on the glass, and with one game left in his career the Ottawa native is focused on the team and nothing else.
“I gotta think about the team it’s not about me, its not my championship it’s our teams championship we are going out to win, so with one last game we to gotta stay as a team and focus on whoever we have to play, know their individuals and their scouting report and play as team”
The No. 2 Carleton Ravens will now play for their tenth CIS Men’s Basketball championship against the winner of the No. 1 Ottawa Gee-Gees vs. Victoria Vikes in second national semi-final.
The Ravens are looking to win their tenth national championship in last 12 years and their fourth straight.
