The Carleton University Ravens defeated the Brandon University Bobcats, 52-49, to capture their fifth consecutive CIS “Final 8” Men’s Basketball National Championship. The Ravens became only the second CIS Basketball program to earn 5 straight W. P. McGee Trophies, the other being the University of Victoria, in the mid-80’s. The Ravens now sport a CIS “Final 8” winning streak of 17 straight, one short of Victoria’s amazing seven year run in which they posted 18 straight victories. Sunday night’s victory was the lowest final score in the tournament’s history, previously Assumption College defeated Acadia University, 55-50, in 1962-63.
The Ravens battled all season against strong opposition and Sunday was no different as Brandon University never quit and kept staying within three points of Carleton and gave the now five-time CIS National Champions all they had before the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Aaron Doornekamp, a third year Forward from Odessa, Ontario hit a three point basket with under two minutes remaining to give Carleton the lead for good. Ironically the “official” winning points would be the last two points of Osvaldo Jeanty’s brilliant career.
Carleton was excellent on defense holding a Brandon team, who average over 80 points per game in the CWUAA, to 49 for the game and 26 in the first half. The Ravens frustrated the the Bobcats two big players who spent most of the 2007 CIS Championship Game in foul trouble. It was the experience of Osvaldo Jeanty and a team that had played in the past four title games that eventually would win the game. The Ravens stayed to their game plan even after Brandon tied the game with 10-minutes remaining. Carleton’s famous rotation of players that Head Coach Dave Smart relies on came through as nine different players contributed points, turnovers and rebounds in the victory over Brandon.
Doornekamp was excellent as he led the Ravens with 20-points and 4-rebounds. Coming off an ankle injury that forced him to watch the 2006 CIS Championship from the bench, he led Carleton in scoring in both the Semi-Final and Final to be named the 2007 Championship Game MVP and 2007 recipient of the Jack Donohue Memorial Award as the “Final 8” Tournament Most Valuable Player. Osvaldo Jeanty closed out his career with 15-points, 5-rebounds to be named to the 2007 CIS “Final 8” All-Tournament team. Jeanty accomplishes his promise to Dave Smart and his teammates a remarkable 5 Championships in 5 Years. “I might be leaving but my teammates now having a burning desire to win 5 Championships in their 5 years at Carleton University,” said Jeanty. “I pass the torch to them as they can continue the streak at home at the Scotia Bank Place.”
While Doornekamp and Jeanty scored the majority of the points (35) Rob Saunders added 6-points and Stuart Tuernbull added 5-points in the victory. Carleton out rebounded Brandon 43 to 40 for the game.
For more information, please visit the Athletics website at http://www.carleton.ca/athletics/sports/varsity/m_bball/index.html
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For more information:
David Kent
Sports Information
613-520-2600 ext. 8512
Sunday, March 18, 2007 in News Releases
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