OTTAWA — The No. 4 ranked Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men's basketball team fell 77-65 to the No. 7 Carleton Ravens on Saturday.

The outcome marked the first time the Bold have dropped consecutive games in nearly a year. 

If it wasn't for a flurry of baskets in the final minute, both TMU and Carleton would have flirted with single-digit points by the end of the first quarter. Both programs emphasize defence, evident by their respective roster construction. There is length and athleticism from the top to the bottom of their rotations. These measurements also translate to the on-court analytics.

TMU is only giving up 68.7 points per game (3rd in the OUA) on 35.9 per cent shooting (2nd). Meanwhile, Carleton is the consensus number one-ranked defence in the OUA, conceding only 61.5 points and limiting opponents to 35.1 per cent from the field. 

After 10 minutes, the Ravens led 17-16. It was both teams' slowest start to an opening quarter since TMU scored 13 points against the McMaster Maurauders on opening night and Carleton finished with 14 points versus the Laurentian Voyageurs on Nov. 1. 

With both squads doing an outstanding job of defending the perimeter, the Ravens were forced to manufacture half of their total offence in the paint. Carleton outscored TMU 18-12 in the paint by halftime. 

Both coaching staffs realized the importance of keeping the other team within striking distance, particularly in a 'grind-it-out 'type of affair. The Bold and Ravens combined for five timeouts in the first two quarters. 

Coming out at halftime, the Bold recognize the need for an energy-shifting type of moment. That's when Gabriel Gutsmore took centre stage. Gutsmore attacked a weak closeout at the top of the arc before driving towards the basket and throwing down a thunderous dunk. Gutsmore finished with 10 points on 36.3 per cent shooting. 

Gurdeep Kalsi's two-way tenacity was on full display when he ripped the ball out of a Raven's hands. Kalsi raced down the court, embraced the contact on his drive, and scored a bucket while getting fouled on the way up to the rim. Kalsi's 12 points were the most off the bench for TMU. 

When Carleton's Dylan Kayijuka practically materialized out of thin air for an off-ball lane steal, the rookie guard scored two of his easiest points on a breakaway layup. The play extended the Ravens' lead to 52-45 and forced Bold Head Coach David DeAveiro to call another timeout. 

With the Ravens extending their lead to 55-45 to begin the fourth quarter, the Bold dug deep for one final push. It started when Aidan Wilson knocked down his second three-pointer of the game. Wilson finished 2-for-2 from the perimeter after entering the contest 0-for-7 on the season. The big man also led the Bold in rebounds with eight.

On the ensuing possession, Aaron Rhooms hit a triple of his own. After moving into the top 25 all-time in U SPORTS career points a day prior, Rhooms continued to add to his sparkling resume. Rhooms finished with a team-high 18 points. 

A few moments later, Kevin Toth and Rhooms teamed up for a right-wing pick-and-roll. Toth navigated the screen before flicking a quick pocket pass to a rolling Rhooms, who then flushed down a dunk to cut Carleton's lead to 55-53. 

Unfortunately, that was the closest the Bold would get as the Ravens responded with a 22-12 run to finish the game.

The Bold continue their four-game road trip with a matchup against the Windsor Lancers on Jan. 23. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. on OUA.tv.