FiBA AmeriCup qualifier: Canada downs Mexico 83-73 in Saskatoon to stay unbeaten

It was a Snow-Day in Saskatoon on Sunday, but also a Win-Day. Canada remained undefeated in AmeriCup men’s qualifier action with a 83-73 victory over visiting Mexico before an announced crowd of 3,914 at SaskTel Arena on a day when heavy snow made road travel rather difficult. Canada improved its record to 4-and-0 in Group C. Mexico slipped to 2-2. Trae Bell-Haynes (188-G-1995, college: Vermont) led the way for the Canadians with 20 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals. Thomas Kennedy contributed 17 points and five rebounds. Mfiondu Kabengele (207-F/C-1997, college: FSU), the star for Canada against Dominican Republic three nights earlier, added 15 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. Nate Darling — who is playing for the NBA G League San Diego Clippers and 2024 Saskatchewan Rattlers coach Larry Abney — chipped in with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists. Other top scorers for Canada included Aaron Best (193-G-1992, college: TMU) with eight, Marcus Carr (188-G-1999, college: Texas) wand Lloyd Pandi (193-F-1999, college: Carleton) with five points apiece. Karim Rodriguez (196-G-1988) led Mexico with 21 points, including five three-pointers from beyond the arc. Moises Andriassi (185-PG-2000) added 13 points. Fabian James, with 11 points, and Jose Bonilla, with 10, rounded out the top scorers for Mexico, which trailed 24-14 after the opening quarter and 43-36 at the half. Bonilla also helped his team with a game-high 11 assists to go along with eight rebounds as his team’s most efficient player.
Courtesy of: thestarphoenix.com