DEFENSE LIFTS LADY RAMS OVER RAVENS

By: Ben Fisher                                                                                         Posted Jan 15, 2010

TORONTO, Ont. -- The Ryerson Rams women's basketball team came out in the second half and played shutdown defence for the final two quarters, holding the Carleton Ravens to 17 percent shooting in the second half in a 61-56 victory at Ryerson's Kerr Hall on Friday night.

The Rams trailed by six points at halftime, 33-27, before making some locker room adjustments and taking over the lead in the third quarter.

While it was their defence that got them the win, the Rams were also impressive on the other side of the court. Guard Lisa Goldring (Burlington, Ont.) led all Ryerson scorers with a game-high 22 points. Forward Angela Tilk (Welland, Ont.) also scored in the double digits for the Rams with 10 points. Guard Lacey O'Sullivan (Port Colborne, Ont.) had a rounded game with eight points, a team-high seven rebounds and three steals.

Carleton was led offensively by forward Ashleigh Cleary (Kemptville, Ont.) who netted 13 points. Guard Kendall Macleod (Brockville, Ont.) also had a strong game for the Ravens, falling one point shy of a double-double with nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Although Carleton shot better than the Rams in the first half, Ryerson's strong defence in the third and fourth quarters dropped the Ravens shooting to 28 percent on the game. Ryerson was 39 percent from the floor. The Ravens did outshoot Ryerson from beyond the arc, 33 percent to 18 percent. The Rams got to the line more and hit more free-throws, 17-12. Carleton grabbed more rebounds, 39-26, but the Rams won the turnover battle, 16-12.

Rams head coach Sandy Pothier credited her team's second half defence as the main reason for the big win.

"We made some defensive adjustments at halftime and the team was just determined to win this game. The defence contributed most to the win," said Pothier, who added that she was happy her team held on for the important win, one that puts the Rams right back in the thick of things for first place in the division.

With the win, Ryerson's record improves to 8-5 while moving into third place in the OUA East. Carleton sees its record fall to 8-4 on the season. The Rams are tied with the Ravens with 16 points but Carleton has a game in hand. Ryerson finishes its weekend action tomorrow against the visiting Ottawa Gee-Gees.

SHORTHANDED RAMS NO MATCH FOR No 2 RAVENS

Toronto, Ont -- The Ryerson Rams men's basketball team stuck around until midway through the second quarter before the No. 2 Carleton Ravens started to pull away, eventually winning the game 89-49 at Kerr Hall on Friday night.

In a physical game, the Rams found themselves shorthanded for the second half when leading scorer Boris Bakovic (Toronto) was ejected for arguing a call with the referees. Ryerson simply couldn't keep up with the defending national champions, as Carleton continued to build on its big lead in the second half.

Despite the lopsided score, the Rams did have some solid performances on the offensive side of the ball. Guard Ryan McNeilly (Toronto) led the team in both points and rebounds, with 14 and six. Centre Joey Imbrogno (Toronto) had nine points before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter. Bakovic had seven points before he was ejected.

Carleton had five players score in double-digits in the win. Forward Tyson Hinz (Ottawa) led all scorers with 20 points. Guards Anthony Ashe (Stittsville, Ont.) and Elliot Thompson (Fredericton, N.B.) each scored 14 points for the Ravens, while guard Michael Kenny (Ottawa) and forward Kevin McCleery (Ottawa) each added 12 points in the win.

Carleton outshot Ryerson 39 percent to 30 percent from the floor and 32 percent to 13 percent from three-point range. The Ravens hit 11 three-pointers compared to just two for the Rams. Ryerson got to the foul line more than Carleton but the Ravens hit 20-for-25 from the line compared to Ryerson's 15-for-30.

The Ravens also out-rebounded the Rams, 46-27, but Ryerson won the turnover battle 15-13.

Despite the final score, Rams head coach Roy Rana was pleased with his team's effort.

"I thought we competed for the entire game," said Rana. "We knew it'd be a physical game and that's how we practiced. Hat's off to them, they were the better team."

With the loss, Ryerson's second in a row, the Rams record falls to 4-7 on the season. Ryerson remains in fifth place in the OUA East. Carleton improves to 10-1 and holds onto first place in the division with the win. The Rams are back in action on Saturday night when they host second-place Ottawa.

 

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