By Canadian Press

Ryerson advances to first-ever men’s basketball final with win over Dalhousie

Mar 11, 2017 | 10:45 AM

HALIFAX — A last-second play came up short for the Dalhousie Tigers as the Ryerson Rams held on for a 59-58 win on Saturday in the semifinal of the Canadian university men’s basketball championship.

Down by one with 11 seconds left to play, the Tigers had a chance to steal the victory, but forward Kashrell Lawrence was unable to hit the last-second three.

“We had a play called that we were going to do if we were down three, and with the noise, they couldn’t hear that we changed it,” Tigers head coach Rick Plato said post-game. “It would’ve been a difference if (guard) Jordan (Aquino-Serjue) would’ve just taken the ball to the basket and at least try to draw the foul, because we were only down by one — we didn’t need a three.

“You could find one point or two points in a hundred spots in that game, I just feel so bad for our guys, it’s tough.”

Ryerson will face the Carelton Ravens on Sunday in the championship final.

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The Rams held Dalhousie seniors Ritchie Kanza Mata and Lawrence to just 10-of-25 shooting from the field and also got an inspired fourth quarter from forward Filip Vujadinovic, who finished with 16 points and was a difficult matchup for Tigers forward Sven Stammberger down low.

“(Filip) had a great game today, and really in many ways was the difference,” said Rams head coach Roy Rana. “I said in the locker-room, right now that the game ball goes to him. I think right from the tip in the first half, his energy ignited us and he made some big plays in the fourth quarter.”

Earlier, Carleton’s vaunted defence made its presence felt in a 74-58 victory over the McGill Redmen in the other semifinal.

The Ravens recorded six steals while holding McGill to just 37.5 per cent from the field. Offensively, player of the year Connor Wood led the way again, with 20 points, including four three-pointers. Guard Jenning Leung led the way with 13 points for McGill.

Dalhousie will face McGill for bronze on Sunday morning.

In the consolation final, the Calgary Dinos used a 29-point third quarter to down the Saint Mary’s Huskies 96-65. Calgary guard Thomas Cooper led all scorers with 28 points.

The Canadian Press