Carleton Ravens win U Sports final in Calgary

Carleton Ravens claimed the championship in the U Sports men’s basketball tournament, defeating the Bishop's University Gaiters on Sunday in Calgary, 78:75. A nail-biting final delivered drama until the final possession and reinforced the program’s status as the standard-bearer of Canadian university basketball for decades.

18 titles in a quarter-century

For the Ravens, this is already their 18th national championship over the past 25 years. The team returned to the top for the first time since 2023, while maintaining an unblemished record in U Sports title games. Not a single loss in the tournament’s decisive games. A number that speaks for itself and turns a statistic into legend.

The win looks especially significant amid the growing popularity of basketball in Canada. This is indicated first and foremost by rising TV viewership—national championship finals are watched by millions of Canadians. Sportsbook data also confirms the sport’s popularity. For our sample, we looked at operators offering sign up no deposit casino bonuses. Such samples typically include major brands that provide not only casino games, but also a full sportsbook offering. The findings were telling—although hockey still leads, over the past few years basketball’s gap to Canada’s national sport has narrowed significantly.

Key performers in the final

Third-year guard Aubrey Dory-Havens was the undisputed hero of the night, scoring 35 points and finishing as the game’s leading scorer. Nelson Sillien added 10 points and 4 rebounds, while Tyler Brown chipped in 9 points and 5 rebounds. It was this trio that formed the backbone of the win.

Momentum swings by quarter

By halftime, the Ravens trailed 34:35. The margin was slim but meaningful. The Gaiters held the edge and wouldn’t let their opponent pull away.

After the third quarter, the game flipped. Carleton moved ahead 57:56, but a one-point lead offered no guarantees. The game remained even right up to the final stretch.

Thirty seconds that decided it all

The deciding sequence came late in the fourth quarter. When Dory-Havens drove to the basket, Gaiters defender Dylan Kayijuka drew an offensive foul. The call gave Carleton the ball with a one-point lead and 30 seconds on the clock.

The Gaiters were forced to commit an intentional foul, and Dory-Havens was the one they sent to the line. He coolly knocked down both free throws. On the final possession, the opponent missed, and the arena in Calgary saw it end 78:75.

Gold forged from February’s heartbreak

Just weeks before the triumph, the Ravens’ path looked very different. On February 28, the team lost the OUA conference final to Toronto Metropolitan Bold by 10 points. The defeat was painful, but became fuel for their tournament run.

At the U Sports championship, the weekend unfolded like this:

• Friday. A convincing win over Laval Rouge et Or by 16 points.
• Saturday. A rematch win over Toronto Metropolitan Bold, final score 58:52.
• Sunday. The championship final against Bishop's University Gaiters.

Each round became a stepping stone, and by the decisive game the Ravens arrived with growing confidence.

MJ Okado lifts the trophy

An added emotional layer of the final was the story of MJ Okado. The Ravens’ leading scorer is from Calgary, and a hometown tournament held special meaning for him. However, on Friday he suffered a leg injury and was unable to take the court again as a player. On Sunday, Okado appeared on the court in a wheelchair and lifted the W.P. McGee Trophy to roaring applause. A moment that symbolized the team’s spirit.

The Ravens once again proved they’re champions, preserving a perfect record in U Sports title games and cementing the program’s dominance at the national level.