Ravens downed in Thunder Selects Tournament opener
(HALIFAX, NS) — A rusty Ravens women’s basketball team was edged 66-63 by the UPEI Panthers in the opening round of the 4th Annual Thunder Selects Tournament on Tuesday evening, in the process relegating Carleton to the consolation bracket of the eight-team holiday competition at Saint Mary’s University.
(HALIFAX, NS) — A rusty Ravens women's basketball team was edged 66-63 by the UPEI Panthers in the opening round of the 4th Annual Thunder Selects Tournament on Tuesday evening, in the process relegating Carleton to the consolation bracket of the eight-team holiday competition at Saint Mary's University.
With both teams entering the game coming off a lengthy stretch between the first and second halves of the CIS season, it was the Ravens who took an early 11-10 lead after the first quarter.
Carleton's opponents, the UPEI Panthers, entered the game sitting in sixth place in the AUS conference, but they were not deterred in their matchup with the Ravens. The Panthers provided an answer for each Carleton basket in the second quarter and the two teams remained very close for the first twenty minutes of the contest.
The Ravens led 27-26 in a low-scoring first half.
UPEI started the second half on fire as they score 27 points in the third quarter to take the lead. Angenay Williams, who led the Panthers in scoring with 22 points, put up 11 points to help the Panthers take a comfortable lead into the fourth.
Carleton lost its way in third as the team only shot 1-7 (14.3%) from beyond the three-point line, while also turning the ball over seven times in a rough patch of the contest.
Steph Carr (Stittsville, ON), who scored a team-high 16 points, came out firing in the fourth quarter and she provided the Ravens with three 3-point baskets to help Carleton take a 59-58 lead with 4:22 remaining in the game.
However, the Ravens faded down the stretch as the Panthers made the most of their chances to take the pole position. Tamara Tompkins of UPEI nailed a three to give the Panthers a five point advantage with 3:06 to play. Down three points with ten seconds to play, Carleton had an opportunity to tie the game, but the team's last-ditch attempt came up short at the horn.
Heather Lindsay (Ottawa, ON) notched a double-double in the loss, adding 14 points and leading all players with 17 rebounds.
The Ravens, who are playing in their first Thunder Selects Tournament, will now move into the consolation round following the opening-day loss. Carleton will play a familiar foe in tomorrow's game as the Lakehead Thunderwolves await the Ravens in a matinee contest at the Homburg Centre.
RAVENS PLAYER OF THE GAME:
#22 Heather Lindsay – Forward – 3rd year – Ottawa, ON
UP NEXT:
Carleton vs. Lakehead – Wednesday, December 29, 2015 – 2 p.m. ET – Halifax, NS (Homburg Centre – Saint Mary's University)
Source: Carleton Ravens
