OTTAWA - While U SPORTS basketball in July is rare, it proved a quality learning opportunity for the Carleton Ravens men's basketball team despite the 79-66 loss to Canisius on Sunday afternoon.
A young Ravens squad found themselves down 11-2 early before coming alive with eight bench points in the first quarter. Rookie guards Aubrey Dorey-Havens (Vancouver, BC), Xavier Spencer (Calgary, AB) and Daniel Smith (Winnipeg, MAN) all chipped in as the Ravens kept pace with the Golden Griffins the rest of the quarter.
First-year Augustas Brazdeikis heated up in the second, scoring 11 points while collecting 15 rebounds to lead the Ravens. Despite out-rebounding Canisius 21-12, Carleton trailed by 10 points at the half.
The visitors extended their lead in the third, opening the quarter on a 9-2 run. A trio of three-pointers got the Golden Griffins off and running until an injury delay took the wind out of both teams. Turnovers cost the Ravens any momentum in the third, giving the ball away six times.
The young Ravens started to look comfortable in the fourth, with 16 points from their bench, Carleton outscored Canisius by seven while narrowing the lead to 11 late in the game. Despite the late push, Carleton was unsuccessful in the comeback falling by 13.
Augustus Brazdeikis led the way for Carleton with 18 points and 8 rebounds while Dorey-Havens had 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Veterans Marjok Okado and Emanuel Milon each had 9 points.
"We have a lot of young guys this year, but today's game is going to be good for us," explained head coach Taffe Charles. "The young guys played well, they made a lot of mistakes and turned the ball over, but that's what we were expecting. It's their first university basketball game."