CIS Hoops.ca

6'4" sophomore Kyle Smendziuk's pair of free throws with 11 seconds remaining gave the Ravens a one-point win over a resilient Gryphons squad playing shorthanded with starters 6'4" Jonathan Moscatelli and 6'3" Dan McCarthy. The final minutes were dramatic as a 5-0 Gryphon run gave the home side a 74-72 lead with 25 seconds remaining. However, 5'11" Mike Kenny was fouled but the usually true fourth year point guard missed the first free throw and then made the second. On the ensuing inbounds, the Gryphs tried to throw over top of Carleton's pressure but Kenny retrieved an errant pass and after Elliott Thompson missed an open 3 from the left wing, Smendziuk grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. Guelph's Mike Patrella, who played the almost the entire game before going to the sidelines with a severe cramp only to return for the last 2 minutes, then tried to drive into the lane on the final possession but his forced look missed and the Ravens escaped. 6'4" Jay Mott made several 3's and finished with 19 points while Patrella added 18 and only one foul - however it was the foul on Smendziuk that decided the game. 6'8" Kevin McCleery and Thompson both had 18 to lead Carleton.

****************************************************************************

The Gryphs were able to stay with the Ravens until late in the second quarter, outrebounding Carleton at both ends, getting a strong performance from point guard Mike Patrella and benefiting from a skewed foul count which saw Guelph make numerous trips to the line. Better Guelph foul shooting could have made this game closer at the half however, the Gryphs, playing without 6'4" Jonathan Moscatelli and 6'2" Dan McCarthy - two starters - have shown much more energy. Jay Mott (7 first-half points including 2 3's) played the entire first half for Guelph and hit a big 3 midway through the second quarter off another Guelph offensive rebound. Carleton's Mike Kenny drew two quick first quarter fouls so Willy Manigat has run the point to mixed results. The Ravens usually had strong possessions when the ball got into the hands of 6'8" Kevin McCleery (7 points) and had some solid moments but generally appear out of synch despite the 8 point lead. Carleton did play very strong half court "d" for the most part but was uncharacteristically poor cleaning the defensive glass. Patrella (10 points at the half including 6-6 free throws) made at least two difficult shots with the clock winding down but also was able to drive the lane to find teammates for layins in a very nice display by the third-year guard from Brantford. Elliott Thompson led Carleton with 10 while Cole Hobin, who started to take charge offensively in the second quarter, had 8.