TMU are back on top of the OUA for the first time since the 2021-22 season and the third in their program's history. They captured the Critelli Cup with a 75-60 victory over the Carleton Ravens at the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Saturday and it was a phenomenal performance on both sides of the ball.
The game opened up with TMU pushing out to a early 10-point lead and the intent of both teams was made very clear right off the start. TMU came out moving up the floor quick and spreading the ball around. Several possessions with three or four touching the ball within a quick span. Carleton wanted to get inside the paint and that's where TMU got the early advantage with their paint defence.
Throughout the first quarter TMU held off the Ravens from eliminating all of the Bold lead but Carleton were hanging around due to play from Abany Deng and Kyana Jade-Poulin. TMU took a 18-10 lead into the quarter break and in the second Carleton chipped away at TMU by flipping the efforts inside the paint.
TMU controlled the glass with a 14-8 advantage in the first quarter but in the second Carleton were able to get a few more extra chances and their scoring started to flow. A 22-20 quarter for the Ravens saw 10 points from Tyanne Matosas-Adderley and six rebonds, four of which offensive from Jacqueline Urban as Carleton tried to flip the switch and the momentum.
With TMU up 38-32 coming into the third quarter, their defence from their guards put the brakes on much of Carleton's efforts getting inside the paint. Carleton was held to just 13 points in the third, eight points for much of the quarter, and a lot has to do with TMU creating turnovers. Four steals in the quarter, TMU was great at getting hands in the lane to poke loose balls and running the other way.
With Carleton still trying to get the ball inside the paint, Abany Deng led the efforts once again while Kyana Jade-Poulin worked on the glass hustling for second chances for her squad.
TMU held a 60-45 lead going into the fourth and they were in a spot where their defence just had to keep playing the way it had. With Myriam Kone scoring 22 in the first three quarters for the Bold, it was the point guard, Catrina Garvey who led the way in the fourth as TMU secured the championship. TMU forced another five Ravens turnovers in the fourth quarter as they held off a couple Carleton runs led by Poulin and Matosas-Adderley.
22 points, nine rebounds, six assists, four steals and three blocks for Myriam Kone led the Bold as the guard wins an OUA championship right after coming over to TMU from Calgary. 15 points and a pair of assists and steals for Catrina Garvey and 14 points to go with five rebounds for Kait Nichols rounded out the three leading contributors for TMU in the win.
TMU captured their third Critelli Cup championship and now are set to have a high seed for the Final 8 tournament.