OTTAWA, Ont. - A cold start proved too much for the Laurier Golden Hawks to overcome as they fell 64–46 to the #9-ranked Carleton Ravens in OUA women's basketball action Friday night at the Ravens' Nest.
Laurier (2-4) struggled to find early rhythm, missing its first six shots over nearly three scoreless minutes.
The Ravens weren't sharp early either, but back-to-back Laurier turnovers around the seven-minute mark allowed Abany Deng and Marilou St-Pierre to score in transition, giving Carleton a 5–1 lead and the momentum that had been missing from either side.
The Hawks briefly steadied themselves late in the quarter. Brittyn Graves provided a spark with two layups inside a two-minute span, and Martina Errazo knocked down a pair of free throws to tie the game 7–7 with 2:59 left - the only time Laurier pulled even.
But Carleton responded with a three-basket run, including a drive from Hannah Beattie, to take a 12–7 advantage after 10 minutes.
Laurier posted its best offensive quarter in the second, shooting 8-for-16 from the field and generating improved ball movement.
Laurier's effort on defence also created opportunities for the other team. White, Cotton, Errazo and Graves all came up with steals, turning Carleton turnovers into points and forcing the Ravens into multiple timeouts.
Carleton's interior play, led by Jacqueline Urban and Kyana-Jade Poulin, produced a steady diet of second-chance opportunities though, allowing the Ravens to maintain a 30–25 lead at halftime.
Graves and Errazo combined for 12 first-half points for Laurier.
The third quarter proved decisive. Laurier managed just two field goals in the frame while committing eight turnovers.
Carleton's Kyana-Jade Poulin also proved why she was the reigning OUA and Carleton Athlete of the Week, grabbing four of her game-high 11 rebounds in the frame.
The Ravens tightened up offensively, found more rhythm in the half-court, and continued to capitalize on Laurier's mistakes. A series of mid-range makes and finishes inside from Carleton, combined with Laurier's cold spell from the floor, stretched the lead to 46-33 by the end of the third quarter.Â
Abany Deng dominated stretches of the period, finishing with a game-high 13 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
Carleton (5–1) continued to pull away in the fourth, extending the lead to as many as 18 in the closing seconds. The Ravens' depth made the difference, with the bench contributing 30 points compared to Laurier's 10.
Graves led the Hawks with 12 points and seven assists, while Errazo added 10 points and four rebounds.
Aikman finished with a team-high eight boards, and White collected seven rebounds and three steals despite a tough shooting night.
Laurier shot 26.8 per cent from the field and 4-for-20 from three, while Carleton held a 47–31 edge on the glass.
The Hawks continue their road swing Saturday afternoon when they take on the Ottawa Gee-Gees looking for their first win at Montpetit Hall since November 2013.
Tip-off is set for 3 pm and will be streamed live on OUA.tv
