OTTAWA - The Capital Hoops Classic trophy has a new home after the Carleton Ravens came out on Friday night's losing end of the men's game 71-61. The top-ranked Gee-Gees also earned their second straight win over the Ravens.
Carleton started slowly, falling behind early in the first quarter. Khalifa Koulamallah was 4-7 from the field in the first, leading all scorers with nine points as the Gee-Gees led by 13 after ten minutes. Carleton's slow start was a mixture of problems shooting just 4-13 while committing 7 turnovers. The ball control struggles would plague the Ravens throughout the game, with the Gee-Gees holding a 5-17 turnover advantage while scoring 25 points off the errors.
Carleton showed improvement in the second quarter, closing the game to as little as nine before Brock Newton hit back-to-back shots to put the Gee-Gees ahead going into the half. Carleton didn't back down in the third, clawing their way to within three at the end of thirty. Carleton's comeback was fueled by improved possession and consistent success inside that led to easy shots falling. By the end of the ten minutes, Carleton had shot 9-17 to close to gap.
Augustas Brazdeikis and Noah Horobetz Simpson led the Ravens inside charge in the third, combining for 13 of the team's 22 points. Carleton couldn't carry their momentum into the fourth. After trading points early in the quarter turnovers began to creep back into the Ravens' play and suddenly they were behind by 12.
Augustas Brazdeikis led all Ravens in his first Capital Hoops Game. The rookie had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds while guard To Randriasalama had 10 points.
The Ravens stay home for a pair of tilts next weekend against teams from Toronto with the UofT Varsity Blues at the Nest on Friday before TMU visits on Saturday night. Tickets for both games are on sale now.
