ST. CATHARINES - Billed as a clash of champions, the defending Ontario University Athletics (OUA) champion Brock Badgers reigned supreme over the defending U SPORTS champion Carleton Ravens 80-68 in front of an electric crowd at Bob Davis Gymnasium on Friday, Dec. 2.
 
The match between the No. 5 Brock men's basketball team and No. 1 Carleton had a playoff-like intensity and atmosphere, said senior shooting guard Godsman Kwakwah.
 
"This felt like a playoff game. It gave me a similar feeling to the OUA finals last year. We loved it," said Kwakwah, who led the Badgers in scoring with a season-high 22 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the campaign. "The difference was defence and rebounding. Coach made the emphasis to stay aggressive. It doesn't matter who the opponent is just be confident and play our game. It's just another game."
 
It was also Brock head coach Willy Manigat's first win over his alma mater, Carleton.
 
"I still have the box score from the last time we played them, a 115-52 loss in 2020," Manigat said. "But this isn't about me or my history with Carleton. It's about our guys in the locker room and how they show up and work every day. I'm proud of all of them."
 
In the fourth quarter, Bob Davis Gymnasium was at its loudest as Kwakwah connected on four three-pointers throughout the frame.
 
"Everybody knows when this crowd shows up, and I hope they do when we host the No. 4-ranked team in the country on Sunday, we have one of the best atmospheres in the country," added Manigat. "I do mean that, because I've played in many different gyms in front of many different crowds here and overseas. It's a great crowd to be a part of."
 

MBB | Badgers win! Brock takes down the defending USports champs 80-68! #WeAreBadgers pic.twitter.com/P8by1wzFBy

— Brock Badgers (@brockbadgers) December 3, 2022

 
Senior guard Kascius Small-Martin recorded 18 points and third-year point guard Isaiah Bujdoso poured in 13 points and recorded six assists. Senior forward Jesse Barnes posted six rebounds and four steals.
 
Brock led 49-34 at halftime and ultimately outrebounded Carleton 40-35. The loss was Carleton's second of the season and the second most points they've surrendered. Marjok Okado led the Ravens in scoring with 15 points.
 
On Sunday, Dec. 4, the No. 5 Badgers conclude their first half of the 2022-23 campaign against the No. 4 Ottawa Gee-Gees at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at brocku.universitytickets.com, while the game will also be streamed on OUA.TV.

BADGERS AT A GLANCE
Overall Record: 10-5 (W-L)
Conference Record: 7-1

Next game: Sunday, Dec. 4 vs Ottawa Gee-Gees • 3 p.m. - Bob Davis Gymnasium

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