Ravens Sports Info (Photo by Valerie Wutti)
OTTAWA - The Carleton Ravens are 3-0 to start 2023, after a 70–54 win over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Friday night.
The Ravens started strong dominating possession throughout the opening several minutes. After spending almost, the entire opening three minutes in the Ridgebacks end, the Ravens had quickly opened up a 9 point lead. Zerina Dujnak (Kitchener, Ont.) made the final two field goals of the quarter while also adding two free-throws as the Ravens pulled away.
Duvjnak, who recorded a double-double in the victory, recently made the switch from guard to post and is quickly building confidence in the new role. “It’s a little bit new, but tonight was a good night that boosted my confidence,” Duvjnak explained. As she continues to learn the role, Duvjnak explains that the veterans forwards have been a huge help to her growth. “They’re very supportive, they’ve helped me learn about the system and the spacing which has made it much easier.”
Despite getting into foul trouble in the second half, the Ravens were able to frustrate the Ridgebacks inside, making it difficult for them to gain any space. On the boards, Carleton was dominant collecting 25-of-37 while outscoring Ontario Tech by 8 in the paint. Rookies Jacqueline Urban (Ancaster, Ont.) and Duvjnak combined for 22 of the Ravens 44 points. At the half, the Ravens led the Ridgebacks by 16.
In the third, the Ravens used an 8-0 run midway through the quarter to continue to distance themselves from the dogs. Scoring from Dorcas Buisa (Gatineau, Que.), Duvjnak and Kali Pocrnic (Oakville, Ont.) continued to put distance between the two teams. After Oceanne Kounkou (Gatineau, Que.) restored the 24-point lead from the line, the Ravens defense would force the Ridgebacks to turn the ball over and Teressa Donata (Ottawa, Ont.) hit a jumper from the top of the key to extend the lead to 63-35.
The Ridgebacks never gave up, battling back in the fourth outscoring the Ravens 15-11 on six points from Delyssa Fleurgin.
After one of the Ravens most complete games of the season, they return to the Nest tomorrow to face the Guelph Gryphons. “We’ve just got to be focused,” noted Duvjnak. “We had good consistency, even through the third quarter, and we need to continue that into tomorrow.
