It's a new year for Carleton Ravens basketball as both the women's and men's teams enter home opening weekend 1-0 and nationally ranked.
The women's team starts the season ranked 7th, coming off a 54-51 come-from-behind victory. Carleton had started slow at Guelph, trailing 18-5 after the first quarter as only one of 13 shots from the field dropped in the opening 10 minutes.
Kyana-Jade Poulin helped lead the comeback, shooting 4-6 in the second quarter. She had 11 points and two assists as Carleton trailed by only two at the half.
The young Ravens continued to pull ahead in the third quarter, outscoring the Gryphons 21-10, with Tyanne Matosas-Adderley and Jacqueline Urban each scoring five.
Despite scoring only six points in the fourth, Carleton was able to hold off Guelph for the win.
It's a new look Ravens squad this year, with three first-years starting on opening night and six seeing the floor in Guelph. Hannah Beattie led the first-years in minutes with 26. She made the most of her time, scoring four points and recording 6 rebounds.
The Ravens earned a number seven ranking in the opening U SPORTS Top 10. A number they'll look to improve on when they host Nipissing and Laurentian this weekend.
Playing on the same schedule, the new look men's squad has a more veteran presence. Replacing a trio of veterans lost to NCAA transfers, the Ravens men's basketball team reinforced their front court with veteran size.
The only team in the OUA East to pick up a win on opening weekend, the Ravens beat Guelph 68-58. The win was a bounce-back from a difficult loss to close out the preseason, where the Ravens went 5-2 against U SPORTS competition.
Veteran Emanuel Milon led the way for the Ravens, earning Gabriel Pizza Athlete of the Week recognition. Milon had 16 points and 12 rebounds, both tied for team highs.
In scoring, MJ Okado also had 16 points, the veteran guard added three assists and two rebounds as he finished behind only Nelson Cilien in minutes played.
Veteran graduate transfer Louth-Mohamed Coulibaly brought a big presence to the Ravens front-court, pulling down 12 boards, including nine on defence, while adding 8 points.
With injuries at play, the Ravens' fourth guard spot remains an open competition, with many new Ravens vying for time alongside Okado, Cilien and Aubrey Dorey-Havens.
The Ravens' home opening weekend features a pair of doubleheaders, including the team's fall Future Flock game on Saturday night with half-priced youth tickets.
Both evenings start with the women's game at 6:00 PM, followed by the men's game at 8:00 PM.
