Carleton uses strong second half to buoy second straight Critelli Cup title
HAMILTON, Ont. – In a game that could have ended in either team’s favour, the Carleton Ravens were able to come out on top, 75-66, completing their undefeated run through their Ontario University Athletics combatants and heading to the U SPORTS National Championship on a winning note.
The Critelli Cup matchup saw both divisional top seeds going head-to-head, suggesting that the outcome was anything but guaranteed. The on-court effort from start to finish proved just that. In what started out as a back-and-forth affair right out of the gate, both squads brought their A-game offensively to the tune of a quick 7-7 start. Helping McMaster’s cause was First-Team All-Star Hilary Hanaka, who poured in a quick five points, while Carleton countered with a balanced attack of both inside presence - sparked by Second-Team All-Stars Heather Lindsay and Elizabeth Leblanc – and outside precision from Jenjen Abella.
After the defense locked in towards the middle of the quarter, an offensive flurry ended the frame in favour of the Ravens, who took a 20-16 lead into the second quarter. But it was a different story in the second, as the Marauders found a new gear that stymied the nation’s number one squad. Outscoring the Ravens 20-8 in the frame, McMaster saw contributions from a number of players, including OUA All-Rookie Sarah Gates, Olivia Wilson, and a late connection from downtown from Hanaka; all culminating in an eight-point halftime lead for the home side.
With the halftime score clearly not sitting well with the reigning champions, the Ravens came out of the shoot on a mission to open the second half. After giving up the opening basket, the Ravens scorched their way to a 12-0, not only closing the gap, but taking the lead from the Marauders. Not to be outdone, however, McMaster came right back with a 7-0 run of their own after a called timeout, thanks to back-to-back buckets from Hanaka and a crucial three-pointer from Linnaea Harper. Despite taking their six-point cushion back with that run, the Ravens answered in kind once again, bringing the game to within just one after the third quarter and outscoring the maroon and white 22-15 in the frame.
With just 10 minutes left to play, it was anyone’s game, but the Ravens were quick to put their mark on the stretch run. The Carleton squad started the final quarter with a powerful rebound from Lindsay – one of the team’s 54 total on the day to out-battle the Marauders by 18 in that category - who then went to work in the paint to give the Ravens the lead; one they would run with down the stretch.
Turning defense into offense, the Ravens translated their all-around efforts into a three-point cushion, which they then extended to seven, and eventually, a more comfortable nine point lead after an all-but dagger three-ball from Catherine Traer; a common feat from the Ravens, who connected on over 37% of their shots from downtown. A four-point play from Julia Hanaka injected late hope into the Marauder faithful, but it was not meant to be for the host squad, as the visiting Ravens were able to ice the game at the line and earn the championship victory for the second year in a row.
Leading the way for the Ravens was Player of the Game recipient Catherine Traer, who finished with a team-high 17 points, to go along with four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a pair of blocks – truly making her mark in all facets of the game. The duo of Lindsay and Leblanc chipped in with 15 and 14 points, respectively, with the former also pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds.
For McMaster, who walks away with the silver medal to cap off their successful OUA season, they were paced by Hilary Hanaka’s game-high 22-point performance, while Harper supported the Marauders championship push with a near double-double of 10 points and nine rebounds.
It will be a quick turnaround for both Critelli Cup finalists, as the Ravens and Marauders will continue their 2017-18 seasons into the national championships next weekend, making the trip to Regina to battle the best of the U SPORTS elite for the 2018 title!