Munis Tutu’s three-pointer with 97 seconds remaining proved to be the difference as the Carleton Ravens defeated the Dalhousie Tigers 74-65 in the men’s gold medal game at the 2020 U SPORTS Final 8 Basketball Championships on Sunday at The Arena at TD Place.

Tutu had 14 points and three rebounds, while Biniam Ghebrekidan added 19 points and 11 boards for Carleton, who won their 15th national title in 18 seasons. Alex Carson had 20 points in a losing cause for Dalhousie.

Carleton shot 45.9 per cent from the field and 21.1 per cent from three, compared to the Tigers’ 38.1 per cent shooting and 25 percent from beyond the arc.

With the win, first-year bench boss Taffe Charles became the first U SPORTS basketball head coach to win a national men’s and women’s title, after capturing the Bronze Baby with the Ravens women in 2018.

Carleton ends their season with an overall record of 27-1 in regular season, conference playoff and U SPORTS Championship action, while Dalhousie compiled a mark of 23-2.

Boxscore

Championship views 😎🏆



Have a look back at the hard fought bout that saw the @CURavens claim their 15th @USPORTSca men's basketball title in 18 years ⏪#ChaseTheGlory | #ViserHaut | @cbcsports pic.twitter.com/qVaSLSKSS3 — U SPORTS Basketball (@USPORTS_Bball) March 9, 2020

Nike Top Performers

Carleton: Biniam Ghebrekidan

Dalhousie: Alex Carson

CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS

Championship MVP (Jack Donohue Trophy): Isiah Osborne, Carleton

Championship All-Star Team

Manroop Clair, UBC

Alex Carson, Dalhousie

Isiah Osborne, Carleton

Keevan Veinot, Dalhousie

Biniam Ghebrekidan