Final 8: A clear-headed MVP

[Photo: Stu Turnbull poses in Cabbie's hat after Saturday night's semifinal (Rob Pettapiece photo)]

Carleton's fifth-year guard Stu Turnbull was selected as tournament MVP, and he was certainly a deserving choice. Turnbull had a fantastic season for the Ravens and established himself as their top offensive threat. He knocked down a game-high 22 points in today's final despite his normal shooting touch being slightly off; he was only five for 16 from the field and three-for-eight from deep. Turnbull hit nine of his 10 free throws, though, and added seven rebounds and two steals en route to his fourth career title.

Turnbull said this win was especially important given Carleton's loss in the semi-finals last year.

"It was a long while before we got to play in a national final again," he said. "It's awesome."

Turnbull said the key to victory today was adjusting to UBC's offensive explosiveness. The Ravens trailed by one at halftime, but went on to win 87-77.

"I think we were just a little bit surprised by how good they were in the first half," he said. "We kind of got used to it and got going."

Turnbull said the emotion of victory drained all the other thoughts from his head.

"Absolutely nothing's going through my mind right now," he said.

Turnbull said it was special for him and the other fifth-year players to finish with a win, though. He said it was a great way to go out.

"The best way. The only way."

Here's The Score's recap of the Carleton-Western semi-final: