U SPORTS Women’s Final 8: No. 1 Carleton survives early push from No. 8 Victoria

VICTORIA (U SPORTS) – The No. 1 Carleton Ravens were put to the test by the No. 8 Victoria Vikes on Thursday night but survived the fire, booking a spot in the semifinals with a 77-66 victory at the CARSA Performance Gym. 

The Ravens move on to play McGill at 4:00 p.m. PST on Saturday, while the Vikes have a quick turnaround before facing Regina on Friday at 8:00 p.m. PST.

"We got into halftime and I just told the kids at halftime that we weren't playing very well and that we were fortunate to be in the game," said Carleton head coach Taffy Charles. "We knew that if we went back to playing how we can play." 

Fourth-year guard Catherine Traer led the way for Carleton with a team-high 23 points, six rebounds and three blocks, while Heather Lindsay also turned in six rebounds to go with her 11 points. 

Third-year guard Elizabeth Leblanc was named the Player of the Game for Carleton after registering 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting. She was 5-for-6 from the free throw line and added three rebounds. 

Fifth-year guard Jenna Krug made a statement for the Vikes on the night, finishing with a team-high 18 points to go with four assists and five rebounds. 

"It was really special for (graduating seniors) Jenna Krug, Jenna Bugiardini and Nicole Karstein considering everything they have put into this program," said Vikes head coach Dani Sinclair. "For them to have an opportunity for them to go out like this, this weekend. 

"It was amazing in here, it obviously hurts to lose but the crowd is one of the things our girls will never forget." 

Krug was a big part of an especially strong second quarter for the Vikes, one that saw them outscore the Ravens 21-8. That effort sent them to the second half with an encouraging 37-30 lead—one that evaporated after the Ravens put up 23 points in the third quarter compared to Victoria's seven. 

The raucous crowd seemed to bolster the Vikes but the Ravens proved their mettle, putting aside their nerves to shoot 52.9 per cent from the field in the third quarter and 83.3 per cent from the free throw line, which hurt Victoria down the stretch. In comparison, the Vikes shot just 64.7 per cent from the line. 

"I'm proud of the girls because it's always hard to win," said Charles. "Victoria had a great crowd and it was a tough game."

STAT LEADERS
CAR: 22-8-23-24: 77
VIC: 16-21-7-22: 66 

Carleton Ravens
Points: Catherine Traer (23), Eliabeth Leblanc (16), Stephanie Carr (12)
Rebounds: Catherine Traer (6), Heather Lindsay (6), Jenjen Abella (5)
Assists: Jenjen Abella (4)
 
Player of the game: #21 Elizabeth Leblanc 

Victoria Vikes
Points: Jenna Krug (18), Kristy Gallagher (14), Nicole Karstein (13)
Rebounds: Jenna Bugiardini (8), Nicole Karstein (6)
Assists: Jenna Krug (4) 

Player of the game: #6 Jenna Krug

SCHEDULE & RESULTS (all times PT) 

Thursday, March 9
12:00 p.m. Quarter-final 1: No.3 Queen's (60) vs. No. 6 Cape Breton (51) (USPORTS.LIVE) 
2:00 p.m. Quarter-final 2: No. 2 Saskatchewan (59) vs. No. 7 Laval (69) (USPORTS.LIVE) 
6:00 p.m. Quarter-final 3: No. 4 McGill (72) vs. No. 5 Regina (62) (USPORTS.LIVE) 
8:00 p.m. Quarter-final 4: No. 1 Carleton (77) vs. No. 8 Victoria (66) (USPORTS.LIVE) 

Friday, March 10
6:00 p.m. Consolation 1: Cape Breton vs. Saskatchewan (USPORTS.LIVE)
8:00 p.m. Consolation 2: Regina vs. Victoria (USPORTS.LIVE) 

Saturday, March 11
2:00 p.m. Semifinal 1: Queen's vs. Laval (Sportsnet 360/SN Now)
4:00 p.m. Semifinal 2: McGill vs. Carleton (Sportsnet 360/SN Now)
7:00 p.m. 5th-place game (USPORTS.LIVE) 

Sunday, March 12
10:00 a.m. Bronze (USPORTS.LIVE)
1:00 p.m. Final (Sportsnet 360/SN Now)