Joseph ignites Ravens to victory over Crimson Tide
OTTAWA, ON — Following a difficult start to the 2017-18 preseason, the Ravens men’s basketball team rallied in their second game of the 2017 Can-Am Shootout on Wednesday by taking down the Alabama Crimson Tide in an 84-71 final.
A double-digit loss to Towson on Monday proved to be a vital wake up call for the thirteen-time national champs, as they turned in an impressive performance against Alabama in front of a capacity crowd at the Ravens’ Nest.
Third-year guard Yasiin Joseph (Ottawa, ON) steered the ship in Carleton’s victory over the Crimson Tide, who entered tonight’s game riding the high of a strong showing over McGill, 96-57, earlier in the week. Joseph finished with game-high 19 points (7-12 FG) and a team-high five assists, while his 11-point fourth quarter outburst paved the way to a decisive result for his side.
Carleton outshone the Crimson Tide on the glass, collecting 44 rebounds to Alabama’s 33, with Eddie Ekiyor (Ottawa, ON) recording the only double-double of the game with 16 points (7-12 FG) and 11 boards.
GAME FLOW
Carleton opened the game on an 11-2 run with a lethal three point attack from Marcus Anderson (Brampton, ON) and TJ Lall (Cambridge, ON), who combined for four of the Ravens’ six triples (6-11 3PT-FG) in the opening quarter. Mitch Wood (Guelph, ON) went on a personal 5-0 run to end the quarter as Carleton held a 24-14 edge after one. The Ravens shot 50% (9-18 FG) in the frame.
Ravens guard Yasiin Joseph and forward Eddie Ekiyor lifted the home side in the second with four points each, as Carleton built a 30-16 advantage. Down 14 points, Alabama answered with a 9-0 run on three consecutive three-point field goals to slice into the Ravens’ sizeable lead. Joseph showed some bounce with an athletic finish around the basket to make it a seven point game, before big man Cam Smythe(Vancouver, BC) made it a 10-point margin once again by connecting from downtown.
Heading into the third up 42-31, Carleton would see its lead vanish as the Crimson Tide’s five-star recruit Collin Sexton capped off a 17-5 run with a dynamic drive and finger roll to put Alabama in control, 48-47. Yasiin Joseph answered with two straight baskets to snap the Ravens’ mid-quarter scoring drought, and Mitch Wood buried a twelve foot jumper at the top of key to provide Carleton with a 61-53 scoreline going into the fourth.
The final quarter was highlighted by Yasiin Joseph’s hot shooting, as the third-year Raven caught fire from outside with three triples in a matter of minutes to propel Carleton ahead by 11 points, 74-63. Eddie Ekiyor found his scoring touch in the paint with six points late in the game, and his chasedown swat off the backboard in the final minute put the nail in the coffin.
RAVENS VS. NCAA OPPOSITION
Carleton redeemed itself following a sluggish display against Towson two nights ago. The Ravens sank 12 three-pointers (12-29 3PT-FG) on their way to victory, while the defence held Alabama below 40 per cent (37.9%) shooting from the floor.
The Ravens move to 1-1 in the 2017 Can-Am Shootout, and improve to 2-0 against Alabama all-time after claiming a first win over the Tide in 2007. The Ravens will head down south to the U.S. Virgin Islands to play a series of exhibition contests against NCAA D1 competition starting on August 14 against Vanderbilt.
UP NEXT:
Carleton vs. Vanderbilt
Monday, August 14, 2017 – 4 p.m.
Paradise Jam – St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
RAVENS PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Yasiin Joseph – 3rd year – Guard – Ottawa, ON
Source: GoRavens.ca