Courtesy of host organizing committee (Mike Beasley)

OTTAWA (CIS) – It was a game for the history books in Ottawa on Sunday afternoon as the Carleton University Ravens won their record-setting ninth CIS men’s basketball championship, and their third in a row, at Scotiabank Place. Carleton took the bite out of the Lakehead Thunderwolves with a dominating performance in a 92-42 win as they reached the summit in men’s university hoops honours for another year.

Championship website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/index

Carleton is now in a league of their own when it comes to W.P. McGee Trophy triumphs.

“It was an interesting season for myself and the team. I had no idea how it was going to turn out,” said Ravens head coach, Dave Smart.

“I demand so much from players every season and this year was not an exception. We had some good days and bad days. To see the players come together and work so hard for this championship is very special.”

The Ravens entered the Final Eight with eight championship rings, tied with Victoria, but that changed this weekend after the Vikes were eliminated by Carleton in Friday’s opening round.

The possibility of making CIS basketball history clearly motivated the Ravens who appeared to be on an unstoppable mission from the opening tip off.

Carleton scored on their first rush down the floor as Clinton Springer-Williams drained a nifty jumper to give the Ravens a 3-0 lead and they never looked back. They were ahead 18-8 after the first quarter, 40-19 at halftime and 66-28 after 30 minutes of action.

Lakehead kept off the scoreboard for the first five minutes and 43 seconds of the contest.

This game and afternoon was filled with Carleton highlights and another impressive display by the most successful program in the country.

With Sunday’s win the Ravens have captured the W.P McGee Trophy nine of the last 11 years.

“We’ve been witnessing something special in the last 11 years,” said Jennifer Brenning, Carleton’s athletic director.

“Dave works so hard every year to improve the program by recruiting quality kids to Carleton. It makes me very proud when I see them win.”

The Ravens continued to pile up points in the opening quarter and were ahead 11-0 before Lakehead’s Matthew Schmidt picked up a three pointer of his own to get the T-Wolves on the board.

Carleton’s inspired play continued in the following frame as they put up another 22 points. The Ravens not only scored at will but defended like masters as they shut Lakehead down allowing only 19 points in the opening half and went into the break with a comfortable 21-point lead.

The third quarter started with a brief push back by Lakehead but that was short lived as Carleton increased their sizeable lead to 38 points after three quarters.

The final quarter of CIS men’s basketball for this year saw the Ravens rack up 26 points compared to 14 for Lakehead.

The 50-point winning margin more than doubled the previous record for win-loss differential. In 1964 Windsor defeated UBC 94-70. In 1971 Acadia outscored Manitoba 72-48.

The Ravens established another record by limiting the Lakehead offence to just 42 points for. 

Lakehead has been to six CIS championships and the last four, but had lost in the first round each of the past three years. But it had been 36 years since the program participated in the 1977 final game. The Thunderwolves were there in 1973 as well. This year’s final is definitely one they will want to forget.

Every year players graduate from university and that is the case with Carleton forward Kyle Smendziuk who finished out a five-year run with the Ravens.

“During my time at Carleton, coach Smart has prepared me for every game and any situation. He has helped me with more than just basketball. My work ethic has improved and I have matured as a young adult under his guidance. It has been a tremendous experience attending Carleton and to leave as a national champion is a fantastic feeling.”

Thomas Scrubb, a third-year guard from Richmond, B.C., was honoured twice after today’s final, first as player of the game for the winning side, and then as tournament MVP. He succeeded younger brother Philip as the recipient of the Jack Donohue Trophy following a 17-point, eight-rebound performance.

For other Ravens scored in double figures, including Philip Scrubb (15), Clinton Springer-Williams (13), Tyson Hinz (11) and Dan Penner (10). With the game in hand early, Smart had the luxury of utilizing all 12 of his players for at least five minutes.

In a losing cause, Dwayne Harvey was the only Lakehead player to put up interesting statistics as he finished with a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double. 

Earlier in the day, the McGill Redmen won the consolation final with a convincing 80-68 victory over Victoria to end the tourney in fifth position.

The bronze medal game between Ottawa and Acadia was decided in overtime with the Gee-Gees coming out on top 92-85.

Carleton will again play host to the Final Eight in 2014, from March 7 to 9 at Scotiabank Place.

STAT LEADERS

CAR: 18-22-26-26: 92
LAK: 8-11-9-14: 42

Carleton
Points: Thomas Scrubb (17), Philip Scrubb (15), Clinton Springer-Williams (13), Tyson Hinz (11)
Rebounds: Thomas Scrubb (8), Tyson Hinz (8)
Assists: Tyson Hinz (4), Philip Scrubb (4)

Player of the game: Thomas Scrubb

Lakehead
Points: Dwayne Harvey (10), Joe Hart (7), Matt Schmidt (6)
Rebounds: Dwayne Harvey (10), Yoosrie Salhia (3)
Assists: 4 players with 2

Player of the game: Joseph Jones

CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS

Tournament MVP (Jack Donohue Trophy): Thomas Scrubb, Carleton

R.W. Pugh Fair Play Award: Vincent Dufort, McGill

Tournament All-Stars:

Thomas Scrubb, Carleton
Tyson Hinz, Carleton
Joseph Jones, Lakehead
Warren Ward, Ottawa
Owen Klassen, Acadia

SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Friday, March 8
12:00 Quarter-final #1: Lakehead 74, Cape Breton 61
14:15 Quarter-final #2: Ottawa 82, McGill 70
18:00 Quarter-final #3: Acadia 89, UBC 80
20:00 Quarter-final #4: Carleton 83, Victoria 46

Saturday, March 9
12:00 Consolation #1: McGill 86, Cape Breton 84 (OT)
14:15 Consolation #2: Victoria 71, UBC 65
17:30 Semifinal #1: Lakehead 66, Ottawa 62
20:15 Semifinal #2: Carleton 84, Acadia 69

Sunday, March 10
11:00 5th place: McGill 80, Victoria 68 
13:15 Bronze medal game: Ottawa 92, Acadia 85 (OT)
15:30 Championship final: Carleton 92, Lakehead 42

-CIS-