Ravens Sports Information (Photo: Valerie Wutti)
Ontario Tech came out ready for a battle putting up five three point attempts in the opening five minutes and hanging with the Ravens throughout the quarter. Carleton was able to use their size and structure to get the Ridgebacks into trouble early, drawing five fouls in the first quarter but found themselves tied at 22 after 10 minutes.
In the second, neither team could establish a long run, as every time the Ravens extended their lead by even a few, the Ridgebacks climbed right back. Stefan Prica was 5-for-6 from the field in the open half to lead the hosts with 11 points while Carleton was powered by the resurgent play of Aiden Warnholtz. The Kanata, Ontario, guard had 17 first half points while Grant Shephard (Kelowna, B.C.) added ten for the visiting Ravens. Enter the second half, Shephard and Elliot Bailey (Horsham, UK) would need to play key roles for the Ravens who led 20-12 in paint points and 12-2 in second chance points through twenty minutes.
Coming out of the half, the Ravens quickly blew open their one point lead outscoring Ontario Tech 28-10 on route to the victory. Warnholtz continued his hot play in the third, shooting 5-for-8 while scoring 13 of the Ravens 28 points. Not to be outdone, Shephard added another six points while collecting 8 rebounds in just six minutes of playing time due to foul trouble.
The Ravens playing on back-to-back nights were able to use their lead to expand their rotation and get keep minutes off the bench. After all the dust had settled, Warnholtz had exploded for 36 points and 3 assists while Shephard had 18 points and 14 rebounds in just 20 minutes of play. Stepping in for Grant Shephard was Elliot Bailey who played just under thirty minutes scoring 7 points and collecting 29 rebounds.
The Ravens are back in action on Friday night in the annual Capital Hoops Classic at The Arena at TD Place when they face the uOttawa Gee-Gees. Tickets for the Classic are now available at TDPlace.ca/Tickets.
