RAVENS FALL TO AGGIES IN FIRST EXHIBITION GAME OF THE YEAR
The Carleton University Ravens men’s basketball team dropped a 65-53 decision to the NCAA’s New Mexico State Aggies in international exhibition action at the Ravens’ Nest Friday night.
The Ravens were coming in to their first game of the 2010-11 preseason while the Aggies were about to play their sixth game in four days.
The game had a slow start, as neither team could get shots to drop. As the half progressed, Ravens turnovers let the Aggies build up a quick lead. New Mexico State was up by 12 points midway through the half, 19-7.
The NCAA Tournament team continued to take advantage of Carleton turnovers, pulling away on the scoreboard. Toronto native Christian Kabongo played a big role in his team’s first half success, putting up 14 points. But Carleton battled back and towards the end of the half, Ravens guard Willy Manigat (Montreal) sunk a three to cut the Aggies lead to single digits. The Ravens shooting troubles continued as they shot nine for 28 from the floor, resulting in a 37-25 lead for the Aggies at the half.
The Aggies got a couple of early baskets in the second half and would lead by a 19-point margin. But Carleton’s shooting began to improve and the team started to chip away at New Mexico State’s lead. The Ravens pulled within eight points, but that’s as close as they would get as the Aggies came away with a 65-53 victory.
Kabongo led the way for New Mexico State, recording a game-high 14 points. Three other Aggies reached double digits – Hernst Laroche (Montreal) and Gordo Castillo (Las Cruces, NM) each had 13 points, while Hamidu Rahman (Somerset, NJ) added 12.
The Ravens were led by Manigat, who notched 13 points in the loss. Teammate Cole Hobin (Ashton, Ont.) also reached double digits with 10 points.
New Mexico State had the advantage on the boards, grabbing 38 rebounds, while Carleton had 28.
The Aggies finish their preseason foreign tour with a record of 5-1.
The next NCAA school to visit the Ravens’ Nest is the University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks women’s basketball team. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. on Aug. 17. Next up for the men is the University of Maine Black Bears on Aug. 28 at 1 p.m. at the Ravens’ Nest.
Rebounds: CU= 13+15=28, NMS= 20+18=38
Score by periods
Ravens 25 28 53
Aggies 37 28 65
