OTTAWA ( Feb. 28, 2024) - The Carleton Ravens will get a chance to defend the Critelli Cup on home court when they host the Queen's Gaels on Saturday night after beating the Ottawa Gee-Gees 75-51.
In front of a sold-out and raucous Ravens' Nest, the Carleton Ravens battled from behind in the first quarter to pull away in the second. Led offensively by forward Jacqueline Urban and all-stars Tatyanna Burke, Teresa Donato and Kali Pocrnic the Ravens outscored Ottawa 24-14 in the second quarter to lead by 10 at the half.
Urban took the game over in the second half, taking advantage of the Ravens' improved spacing in the paint to score 12 points and record 4 rebounds, while Teresa Donato recorded 8 points in the quarter.
Spurred on by a capacity crowd, led in full voice by varsity student-athletes who boisterously supported the team from both ends of the gym, the Ravens controlled much of the second half, bringing the crowd to their feet with strong defensive plays including two steals by Kyana-Jade Poulin.
Ariane Saumure and the Gee-Gees tried to push back in the fourth, with Saumure scoring 8 points, but the visitors couldn't overcome the Ravens who shot 46.5% on the evening. Rebounds were close on the evening with Carleton winning the battle for the glass 41-31 despite leading well in the paint, outscoring Ottawa 42-16 inside.
The Gaels advance to face the Ravens after beating Toronto Metropolitan 67-49.