Carleton Ravens win 18th national basketball title

The Carleton men’s basketball team is returning to Ottawa after winning their 18th national championship. CTV’s Dave Charbonneau reports.

The Carleton University men’s basketball team claimed their 18th U Sports title Sunday in Calgary, beating the Bishop’s University Gaiters 78-75 in a hard-fought final.

The game saw the Ravens overcome injuries and a back-and-forth game to claim the championship.

Head coach Taffe Charles says he’s proud of how his team handled the adversity.

“Just happy about how we were able to step up under adversity,” Charles told CTV News Ottawa.

“Sometimes, when you don’t have all your guys, you can make an excuse as to why you’re not going to win. But, I thought the guys did a great job and was just proud of their efforts yesterday.”

For point guard Aubrey Dorey-Havens, one word summed up the victory.

“Just resilience is the word that comes to mind,” he said.

Back on campus in Ottawa, some students were still catching up.

When told her school had won, Carleton student Iliana Ketsoulis replied: “Oh, I did know that. I just learned that.”

She wasn’t alone.

“Most people that I know don’t even follow the NBA, don’t follow anything like that,” said student Franco Ianni-Lucio

At a school with a trophy case now as full as the Boston Celtics, some students say another title is almost old news.

“I don’t know if people are getting complacent because we won like, what, 18 times now?” said student Kevin Bassey. “It’s just like any other day for some people. But, It’s amazing.”

Others caught the highlights after the fact.

“I saw the highlights, saw the Instagram post,” said student Ayden Mangru. “It’s pretty good.”

For those who cover U Sports, the lack of excitement is no surprise.

“It’s a little frustrating. It’s disappointing,” said AJ Jakubec of TSN 1200.

“That’s the million-dollar question that everyone asks with U Sports. How do they get alumni involved the same degree that they do at U.S. colleges? How do they get the student body involved to the same degree?”

Still, the players were excited about the win.

“This is my third year now, and we didn’t even make it the past two years,” Dorey-Havens said.

“To go for the first time and just experience it and then come home with the win, it was amazing. I can’t even describe it honestly.”

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