Shocking the Shockers! Carleton downs Wichita State 100-75

(Photo: Valerie Wutti)

OTTAWA, ON — A fantastic team effort lifted the Ravens to a notable 100-75 victory over NCAA power Wichita State on Sunday afternoon at the Ravens' Nest.

BOX SCORE

Following a quiet game against Stetson in the preseason opener, Ravens power forward Ryan Ejim (Toronto, ON) made his presence known as he registered a team-high 18 points (8-11 FG) against the Shockers.

"We came into today's game looking to fight for forty minutes and the coaches did a good job preparing us for Wichita State," said Ejim, who also contributed 3 rebounds and 2 blocked shots in the win. "I didn't play as well as I wanted to in our first preseason game, and I wanted to come out more aggressive today and I was able to find my shot."

Ejim scored the first three baskets for Carleton as the Ravens broke out to a 26-20 first quarter advantage. Both teams continued the torrid pace in the second, as the Ravens and Shockers went basket for basket in a physical quarter that was highlighted by a massive Mitch Jackson (Regina, SK) block on the defensive end and a Wichita State buzzer-beater tip-in by Eric Hamilton as the half came to a close.

The Shockers, which were playing in their second contest of a four-game Canadian tour, closed off the second quarter on a 6-0 run to tie the game up at 47-47.

With an energized crowd on hand for the afternoon matinee, the Ravens treated the home faithful to an entertaining brand of basketball throughout the second half.

New Ravens shooting guard Joe Rocca (Sarnia, ON), a transfer from McMaster, provided the team with a boost off of the bench as he nailed a pair of threes to push Carleton ahead by double digits. Wichita State went cold from the floor in the third quarter as the team shot 26.3% (5-19 FG), while Carleton lit up the Shockers with an impressive shooting display (66.7%/10-15 FG) to take a 76-61 lead into the final quarter.

The Ravens remained charged in the fourth as Connor Wood (Guelph, ON) took a turn punishing the Shockers with a pair of three-point shots.  Carleton reached the 100-point mark when Emmanuel Owootoah (Toronto, ON) made a quick cut around a defender on the baseline before make a ridiculous underhand dish to a wide open Joe Rocca, who connected on his third make from beyond the arc.

Carleton outrebounded the Shockers 38-27 on the boards and held Wichita State to 23.8% (5-21 3-PT FG) shooting from outside.

RAVENS PLAYER OF THE GAME:
#45 Ryan Ejim – 5th year – Toronto, ON

UP NEXT: 
Carleton vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff
Friday, August 12th, 2016 – 7 p.m. – Ravens' Nest