The Ravens women’s basketball team defeated the CEGEP Montmorency Nomades in the Ravens’ Nest on Oct. 4 by seven point (Photo: Adam Dietrich)

The Carleton women’s varsity basketball team was on a hot streak this weekend as they defeated the University of Quebec and Montreal (UQAM) Citadins and the CEGEP Montmorency Nomades in preseason action.

The lady Ravens started out on Oct. 3 by defeating the Citadins 78-56 and continued to play hard the next day, defeating the Nomades 52-45.

In the first game, the Ravens got off to a bit of a shaky start, letting the Citadins score eight points in the first couple of minutes of play while scoring only two points in return. However, after a time-out called by the Ravens the team came out ready to play and ended the quarter leading the Citadins 17-15.

“It was indicative of how young we are,” said head coach Taffe Charles, “but we’ve worked really hard for the last month and we’re a better team then we were in August.”

The Ravens continued to hustle throughout the second quarter, increasing their lead and ending the half 34-26.

Although not all shots were dropping for the Ravens, Alyson Bush, Jennifer Stoqua, Bailey Lomas and Courtney Smith made some key three-pointers, including a buzzer beater by Smith to end the half.

“I think we played together really well,” said Stoqua.

Stoqua ended the game with 12 points and is one of the Ravens’ promising rookies.

The Ravens continued to battle hard in the second half, out-rebounding the Citadins and out-scoring them 26-16 in the forth quarter. 

Team veteran Kendal MacLeod led the Ravens in scoring with 20 points and Bush contributed 5 assists in the second half.

The lady hoopsters continued to dominate in the Raven’s Nest on Oct. 4, defeating the CEGEP Nomades despite another shaky start.

The team ended the first quarter with only a one point lead over the Nomades. However, the Ravens got fired up in the second quarter, ending the first half ahead of the Nomades 29-18.

“All our players are stepping up to their positions and roles on the team,” said five-year veteran Ines Jelic. “We have a lot of younger players and they’re doing really well.”

Jelic led the team in rebounds, going up strong to the basket on both offence and defence.

In the second half the Nomades started to pick up their game and put pressure on the Ravens. However, their effort fell short as the Ravens battled hard to earn a seven-point victory.

“I thought it was a good start,” said Bush. “The French teams are really aggressive and it helps prepare us for the upcoming season.”

The lady Ravens will try and keep their momentum when they hit the road this weekend in Halifax to play Acadia University, St. Mary’s University and Dalhousie University.