Box Score WINDSOR, Ont.-  The Windsor Lancers men's basketball team started its 2012-13 season in dramatic and thrilling fashion, handing the defending CIS champion its first loss in two seasons by erasing a 22-point deficit and defeating the Carleton Ravens 71-67. 

With stand-out performances from Lien Phillip, who tallied a double-double including 19 points and 13 rebounds as well as Josh Collins and Enrico Di Loreto, the Lancers shocked the No. 1-ranked team in the nation with tough defense in the fourth and final quarter, where they held the Ravens to an astoundingly minimal eight points. 

The contest started out slow for both squads, as they combined  for just 12 points through the first five minutes of play.  A three-pointer from Phillip Scrubb gave Carleton its first lead of the game, and a penetration to the basket by Tyson Hinz extended the lead to four with just over three to play in the first.  However, Nana Ntim (Bradford, Ont.) sliced into the lead with a deep three from the corner.  The defending national champions garnered a 19-16 advantage heading into the second quarter. 

Di Loreto began the second with a smooth run to the basket, where he picked up a foul while utilizing a finger-tip roll for two points.  The London, Ont. native then drained a shot from beyond the arc to bring the Lancers within a single possession early in the period.  The Lancers continued to hold their own against Carleton throughout the second with hard-nosed defence, making the Ravens work for every basket.  However, the Ravens managed to pull ahead late in the half, notching a three-ball and forcing a turnover that led to two more points and a 10-point lead.  The visitors would go into halftime leading 43-30. 

Di Loreto led the Lancers with 10 points through the first two quarters of play, while Lien Phillip picked up seven points and five rebounds.  Philip Scrubb led all players with 12 points for the Ravens, and both teams shot over 40% in first half. 

Carleton quickly built their lead in the third quarter, going up by 19 points less than three minutes into the half. Ryan Christie attempted to pick up the slack for the Lancers, coming up with a great block on the defensive end of the floor and completing a three-point play after taking a foul while draining a lay-up.  The Hamilton native got to the foul-line on Windsor's next possession, draining both his free throws to cut the lead to 16.  Josh Collins (Toronto) nailed a three, and Philip followed that with two straight hard fought buckets in the low post.  The Grenada native caught fire, recording two straight jumpers from beyond the arc that suddenly brought the lead into single digits heading into the final quarter.  The Lancers dropped 23 points in the third stanza. 

Ntim notched a jumper to begin the final period, and the Lancers would stay within striking distance through the first few minutes of the fourth.  A long-ranger from Collins brought Windsor within six, and after another Ravens turnover, Carleton Coach Dave Smart called timeout in an effort to stop the momentum.  However,  coming out of the timeout, Evan Matthews  would launch a great cross-court pass to Collins, catching the Ravens off-guard, for an easy lay-in.  Michael Petrella notched the game-tying basket moments later, and Philip brought the St. Denis Centre crowd to its feet with a star-like drive up the middle of the lane, breaking through the Ravens defense for two points. 

The Ravens answered with two points to even the game, but Matthews went up hard to the hoop and was fouled on Windsor's next possession.  The Tecumseh, Ont. native would sink one of his two free throws to put Windsor in front again.  However, the rebound off his second shot was contested, resulting in a jump ball going to the Lancers.  Collins would take possession off the inbound and get fouled with time running out on the Ravens.  The veteran guard had ice in his veins at the foul line, all but clinching the contest by making both of his free throws.  Scrubb, who tallied a game-high 24 points, would attempt a desperate three in an effort to even the game, but could not get it to go, allowing Windsor to run down the clock and clinch the victory. 

The last time the Ravens lost was in the 2011 OUA Wilson Cup Final against the Lakehead Thunderwolves.  Up until Friday, they had not dropped a regular season match since February 5, 2010 where they fell to the York Lions. 

Di Loreto and Collins each added 13 points for the Lancers, who outrebounded the Ravens 44-35.  Carleton finished with a  36.4% field-goal percentage, compared to 41.1% from the No. 9 Lancers.  Christie led all players with three blocks while recording nine rebounds and seven points.

The Lancers will have little time to celebrate their victory, as they are back on the St. Denis Centre court tomorrow evening to take on the Ottawa Gee-Gees.  Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m.