ROOTES LEADS THE WAY AS BROCK KNOCKS RAVENS FROM PERCH

The Brock Badgers got 21 points from guard Brad Rootes and another 18 from All-Canadian Kevin Stienstra as they halted the Carleton Ravens win streak at 87 games with a close 69-67 victory at Bob Davis Gymnasium in St. Catharines Saturday. The three-time defending national champions began their unbeaten streak (in regular-season and post-season play) in November of 2002 but they were in unfamiliar territory against the Badgers, which had built a 20-point lead near the midway mark of the second half. The top-ranked Ravens rallied behind All-Canadian Osvaldo Jeanty, who scored 14 of his team-high 20 points in the final 12 minutes of the game. Jeanty hit a three-pointer with 17 seconds left on the clock to get Carleton within a point, but Rootes managed to sink one of two free throws to push the lead to two. Stu Turnbull's effort at the buzzer fell short for the Ravens, giving them their first loss in over three years. Stienstra added 10 rebounds for Brock, while Rootes had five rebounds, four assists and four steals to go along with his 21 points. Four Badgers scored in double figures, providing a balanced attack to Ken Murray's squad. The Ravens are now 9-1, still atop of the OUA East.

Carleton began a tough weekend of road play with an impressive 80-66 OT-win over OUA West the Guelph Gryphons. Jeanty led the way with a game-high 24 points, while adding five rebounds and three assists in 44 minutes of play. The teams were tied at 60 after regulation but the Ravens outscored Guelph 20-6 in the extra period for their 87th consecutive win. Aaron Doornekamp, who was held to 11 points and five rebounds in the Brock loss, was a factor against the Gryphons, scoring 15 points to go along with six rebounds and two steals. Four Gryphons hit double-figures, led by Aron Bariagabre's 15.

There are no undefeated teams remaining in the OUA after the fourth-ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees also dropped their first of the season, a 67-59 OT loss to Guelph Saturday. Gryphons' guard Nick Pankerichan had 14 points, while Jay Mott chipped in 11, including 2-for-4 from three-point range. Alex McLeod led Ottawa with 17 points, while Marko Jovic was 7-for-10 from the field with 15 points. Guelph scored just 16 points in the opening half but rallied to outscore the Gee-Gees by 12 in the second. They scored 19 more in the overtime period, running away from Ottawa. Guelph is now 8-2, along with the McMaster Marauders, in the OUA West. The Gee-Gees had little trouble with Brock Friday, defeating the Badgers 75-60. McLeod led all players with 21 points. Jermaine Campbell made all five of his attempts from beyond the arc and finished with 17 points. Rootes had 20 for the Badgers, while Stienstra had 11 and nine boards. The duo are ranked third (19.6) and fourth (18.4) in OUA scoring respectively. Stienstra sits second in league rebounding with 9.3 per game.

The Marauders made a successful return from the holiday break with a pair of victories, beginning with a, 89-34 blowout win over the RMC Paladins Friday in Kingston. Tom Lokmanis was good on six of seven shots to pace McMaster with 14 points, while John Obrovac added 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds. The Marauders took a 21-point lead into the half and then scored 50 more points in the second. Nathan Tucker led the Paladins with 15 points and five rebounds. McMaster had a tougher time with the Queen's Golden Gaels the following night, edging the host by eight in a 77-69 victory. Martin Ajayi poured in 19 for the Marauders, which had at least four players score in double digits for the second straight game. Fourth-year forward Neal Dawson was a force for the Gaels, scoring 18 points to go along with a game-high 14 rebounds and four assists. Dawson was 7-for-10 from the floor. Queen's had picked up its third win of the season the previous night when the Gaels defeated the Lakehead Thunderwolves 85-67. Brendan O'Leary led Queen's with 21 points and nine rebounds, while guard Simon Mitchell had 17 points and five assists. Dawson had another double-double in that game, scoring 12 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

The Toronto Varsity Blues continued their strong league play with a pair of victories this week, beginning with a 78-63 home win over the Laurier Golden Hawks Thursday. Toronto got 19 points (9-for-11 from the field) and eight rebounds from fourth-year forward Mike Williams. Dwayne Grant added 18 points for the Blues, while Laurier's Rob Innes paced all players with 21 points. The Blues improved to 8-2 with a close 73-68 win over the Waterloo Warriors Sunday. Toronto trailed by nine at the half but out-scored the visiting Warriors by 14 in the second half to scratch out the five-point victory. Mississauga native Paul Sergautis led all players with 21 points, while Mike DiGiorgio added 15 more for the Blues. Graham Jarman and Michael Davis each had 16 points for Waterloo. The Warriors defeated the Ryerson Rams 89-77 Friday. Jarman, fifth in OUA scoring with 16.9 ppg, had 21 points in the game to go along with six assists. Igor Bakovic led the Rams with 19 points and 18 rebounds, including 12 on the defensive boards. Bakovic has an OUA-best 115 rebounds through 10 games played. Bakovic also had 20 points and 13 rebounds as Ryerson squeaked by Laurier 65-63 Saturday.

In other action around the league, the York Lions went 1-1 on the week with a 57-54 win over the Western Mustangs Friday and a 67-45 loss to the Windsor Lancers the following day. Trevor Boose had 16 points for the Lancers, who also beat the Laurentian Voyageurs 68-51 Friday. Warren Gilchrist led all Thunderwolves with 14 points as Lakehead beat RMC 76-50 Saturday.


(Photo: Guard Brad Rootes drives to the bucket in Brock's 69-67 upset win over top-ranked Carleton. Photo by Mike Cheliak.)