Media

OTTAWA, January 25, 2011  —  The city’s biggest rivalry heats up on January 26 when the Carleton Ravens and Ottawa Gee-Gees basketball teams face off in one of the season’s most anticipated events – the annual MBNA Capital Hoops Classic. This year’s challenge, however, promises some light-hearted competition.

The presidents of Carleton and uOttawa have agreed that the school with the highest combined scores of the men’s and women’s games will be declared the winner of a friendly wager: the president of the losing university will wear the winning team’s jersey after the Classic wraps up Wednesday evening.

“I know that we all share much pride in the abilities, sportsmanship and dedication of our teams. We are proud of the contribution our universities make to the community and to our nation. I look forward to the game and to cheering for the Ravens,” says Roseann O’Reilly Runte, president and vice-chancellor of Carleton University.

“Our basketball squads have always treated us to truly top-level performances over the years. I join with the entire uOttawa community in wishing the Gee-Gees the very best of luck for the Classic, which is such a great event for school spirit,” adds Allan Rock, president of the University of Ottawa.

The fifth annual MBNA Capital Hoops Classic takes place at Scotiabank Place, with the women’s game tipping off at 6 p.m., and the men’s at 8 p.m.

The Ravens’ pre-game rally will be held at Oliver’s. Students can also purchase a special ticket package for $15 that includes a round-trip bus ride from Carleton to Scotiabank Place. For more information on the competition, ticket packages and the pre-game rally, please visit www.goravens.ca/tickets.

At the University of Ottawa, tickets can be bought either at the client services counter of the sports complex, by phone at 613-562-5800, ext. 4337, or by email at ggtix@uottawa.ca; prices are $15 for students and 16$ for adults.

About the Carleton Ravens
The no. 1 nationally ranked Carleton Ravens men’s basketball team is on a 14-game winning streak, with its most recent victory (84-53) coming over the York University Lions on Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Raven’s Nest.

The no. 6 nationally ranked Ravens women’s team is riding a 8-game winning streak following its 81-55 win over the Lions; the Ravens remain on top of the OUA East with a record of 12-2.

About the uOttawa Gee-Gees
The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees men’s basketball team (6-8) picked up two key points with an 87-84 win over the Laurentian Voyageurs on Saturday, January 22, moving the squad into fourth place in the OUA East standings.

The Gee-Gees women’s basketball team (9-5) has a firm hold on third place in the OUA East standings and is looking to move up in the standings with key wins down the home stretch of the 2010-11 season.