CIS Hoops.ca

From Mike Tucker at UVic... 6'3" Elliot Thompson hit 7 threes for Carleton which led by as many as 20 only to have Vic bring it back to within 5 late but the Ravens held on at the end despite 6'8" Kevin McCleery going only 1 for 8 from the foul line.

In a rematch of the 2006 CIS Championship game, the Carleton Ravens again got the better of the UVic Vikes men's basketball team with a 76-70 victory to close out the Guy Vetrie Memorial Tournament.

BOXSCORE

This time around the stakes were not as high as in 2006, but the game had the feel of a post-season match between schools that rank no. 1 and 2, in terms of number of CIS Championships won. Top-caliber defences were not willing to concede any easy baskets and the game's stars were forced to make big shots.

The Vikes had trailed by as many as 20 points but used defence to cut into Carleton's lead in the fourth quarter. On two occasions in the final minutes, the Vikes had brought the game within four points but both times the Ravens answered on the opposite end.

Ravens guard Elliot Thompson led all scorers with 26 points, shooting 9-14 with seven three-pointers. Thompson and forward Kevin McCleery came up big for Carleton in the final frame with both players hitting clutch shots in the stretch run. McCleery scored six of his 19 points in the final frame, also finishing with eight rebounds.

For the Vikes, it was Ryan MacKinnon and point guard Zac Andrus combining for 31 points. MacKinnon, who finished with 17 points, gave the Vikes late life by scoring seven of his points in the final two minutes of regulation. Andrus was good for 14 points and also picked up six assists.

"With all the new players this weekend was important to play some games and get comfortable together," said MacKinnon. "We still have to do a lot of things better, but the future looks bright."

In earlier action at the Guy Vetrie Memorial Tournament, the Fraser Valley Cascades hung on to defeat the Alberta Golden Bears 72-71.

The Vikes end the pre-season owners of a 1-2 record. The Canada West regular season begins next weekend with McKinnon Gym hosting the Simon Fraser Clan. The Vikes swept the season series from the Clan last season. Tip off is Saturday at 8 p.m.