TURNBULL BUZZER-BEATER LIFTS RAVENS TO CIS MEN'S BASKETBALL FINAL
The Ravens, who captured five straight W.P. McGee trophies from 2002-03 to 2006-07, advance to their sixth CIS title match in seven years. They will battle the No. 3 UBC Thunderbirds Sunday at 4 p.m., live on The Score Television Network and SSN Canada (webcast).
Championship website: www.universitysport.ca/e/final8/2009
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The Mustangs, who claimed their lone McGee trophy in 1991, were hoping to play in the national final for the first time since a 76-71 loss to Alberta in 2002. Western also lost in the semis a year ago, 85-75 to eventual champion Brock.
One second.
That was the difference between a spot in the national final and the end for five Western Mustangs men's basketball players.
The tight-knit group of Mustangs could only watch as senior Turnbull pulled up with the clock expiring, nailing a shot from 12 feet out.
The Ravens, ranked No. 1 for almost the entire season, were tested and will compete for the national championships the win in front of 7,942 fans.
Turnbull went from zero to hero in a matter of minutes.
With the Ravens hanging on to a 64-63 lead, he stepped to the foul line with 12.1 seconds left on the clock with a chance to give his team some breathing room. Instead, the OUA East MVP missed both free throws, and the Mustangs took advantage.
Western rushed up the court and, after being fouled, fifth-year guard Matthew Curtis (Hamilton, Ont.) hit both free throws to send the Mustangs ahead with 4.9 seconds left.
Carleton had one last chance and, showing confidence in his leader, head coach Dave Smart decided to put the ball in Turnbull's hands.
"That was the shot that was designed, that was exactly the shot,” said Turnbull, who was named Carleton game MVP. "You just do it, it happens and you just do it, you don't even think.”
"I love playing Western. We always seem to bring the best out of each other,” Turnbull added. "It was a battle throughout and we managed to grind it out. That's what we do, find a way to win.”
"That is pure character,” said Smart. "How many kids would fold after missing those two free throws. That just shows you the kind of character player Stuart is.”
After the game, Curtis embraced his family with his grey hooded sweatshirt draped over his head. The tears were flowing, the emotion was clear - he was devastated.
After all, he poured his heart out on the court and led a Western team further than many expected them to go, two years in a row.
Western head coach Bradley Campbell summed it up best.
"We felt like we had our hearts ripped out," said Campbell. "We felt like we were well prepared and we came in absolutely confident we could win. But we knew we had to play our best and I think we played that way."
With his hands on his knees in the hallway outside the dressing room Campbell wore this game emotionally on his sleeve.
The third-year bench boss commended five players who will graduate after this season.
"Our fifth-year guys were outstanding," Campbell said. "They knew they had a chance to win it if we played out best and it came down to the last shot, on the last possession."
"I'm sure that's no consolation for them."
Andrew Wedemire (Sarnia, Ont.) led Western with 14 points, while Brad Smith (Innisfil, Ont.) had 13 points.
Curtis had 12 points and five rebounds along with six assists.
"Matt and Brad (Smith) have been the pillars of this program," Campbell said. "They are the heart and soul of this team. To finish at the bottom of the league and then to come to nationals two years in a row, it is a credit to them."
Early on, 12 of Western's first 14 points were from downtown. Curtis, Alex Brzozowicz (Chicago, Ill.), Wedemire and Jason Milliquet (Sarnia, Ont.) all hit from three-point land.
Western led 19-11 after the first quarter.
But Carleton, capitalizing on Western's poor 2-of-9 foul shooting and with solid defence won the second quarter 15-9 and entered the half time break tied at 28.
Carleton led twice by as much as five, but like the cat that came back, the Mustangs were always there.
With both teams in foul trouble - Garrett Olexiuk (Burlington, Ont.) and Wedemire both fouled out along with Aaron Doornekamp (Odessa, Ont.) of Carleton - the game was intense until the final horn.
Western had timely three-point shooting and fought hard in front of a pro-Carleton crowd.
It was a sad way for the season to end, but the Mustangs deserve credit for their effort - throughout the entire season.
Campbell said he knew his team would have to play a perfect game to win.
"We knew would have had to played one heck of a game to win," Campbell said. "I give full credit to Carleton, they found a way to win in the end."
STAT LEADERS
Carleton
Points: Stuart Turnbull (19), Aaron Doornekamp (16), Kevin McCleery (14)
Rebounds: Aaron Doornekamp (8), Kevin McCleery (6), Robert Saunders (6)
Assists: Mike Kenny (4)
Player of the game: Stuart Turnbull
Western Ontario
Points: Andrew Wedemire (14), Bradley Smith (13), Matthew Curtis (12)
Rebounds: Alex Brzozowicz (6), Matthew Curtis (5), Collin LaForme (5)
Assists: Matthew Curtis (6)
Player of the game: Bradley Smith
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE & RESULTS (all times LOCAL)
Friday, March 13
Quarterfinal #1: No. 2 Calgary 76, No. 7 Concordia 67
Quarterfinal #2: No. 3 UBC 78, No. 6 Dalhousie 54
Quarterfinal #3: No. 4 Western Ontario 75, No. 5 Ottawa 48
Quarterfinal #4: No. 1 Carleton 94, No. 8 St. Francis Xavier 57
Saturday, March 14
Consolation #1: No. 7 Concordia 72, No. 6 Dalhousie 61
Consolation #2: No. 5 Ottawa 85, No. 8 St. Francis Xavier 63
Semifinal #1: No. 3 UBC 79, No. 2 Calgary 74
Semifinal #2: No. 1 Carleton 66, No. 4 Western Ontario 65
Sunday, March 15
13:30 5th-place consolation final: No. 7 Concordia vs. No. 5 Ottawa
16:00 Final: No. 3 UBC vs. No. 1 Carleton (The Score)
Source: CIS Communications
Photo Credit: Freestyle Photography