The Carleton Ravens made history on Sunday night becoming the first set of men's and women's basketball programs to win both U SPORTS national championships since 1985.
The Ravens basketball teams become only the third program to ever win both championships in the same season, marking the first time the feat has been accomplished by a school outside of British Columbia.
With games being played at the same time in Sydney and Halifax fans were tuned in on two screens as they watched the drama unfold. With the women facing an OUA championship rematch with Queen's and the men meeting the hosts from STFX, both teams were in tough. As the two games reached half-time Carleton trailed with the women down by 6 and the men by 13.
In the second half, after trailing by as much as 7, the women's team locked in one of their signature defensive performances outscoring the Gaels 20-7 and taking over the contest. With Queen's on the ropes, Carleton outpaced the Gaels 25-21 in the fourth quarter to capture the second Bronze Baby Trophy in program history. For her efforts, Kali Pocrnic was named tournament MVP.
Meanwhile, in Halifax, the men's comeback had started before the half, trailing by 23 points, Carleton was able to cut the lead to 13 heading into the break. Carleton continued to rally in the second using a number of key three-pointers from Elliott Bailey to take back the lead with 3:04 to play in the third quarter.
The game would go back and forth throughout the rest of the fourth quarter before Aiden Warnholtz hit a deep three-pointer with three seconds on the clock to force overtime. In the first overtime period, Carleton built out a narrow lead but couldn't pull away as Avan Nava hit a three of his own to force a second overtime period.
In the second overtime, the Ravens would take the final lead. Aiden Warnholtz and Connor Vreeken scored 13 points for the Ravens as they helped Carleton capture the program's fourth-consecutive W.P. McGee trophy as U SPORTS national champions and their 17th in the last 20 years.
For his efforts throughout the tournament including his overtime heroics, Aiden Warnholtz was named tournament MVP.
