POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Wendell Carter Jr.
Group A
Brazil - Dominican Republic 58-66
Dominican Republic ensured the winning start to their Fiba Americas campaign. They upset Brazil in Bahia Blanca. Alanzo Frink (200-F-0) was pivotal for Dominican Republic with 22 points and 11 rebounds to his name. Dominican Republic built a 34:29 halftime advantage. They boosted the gap at 10-point mark at the final intermission. Brazil narrowed the distance in the fourth frame but could not avoid the defeat. Miguel Diaz (192-G/F-99) netted 12 points and grabbed 12 boards for the winners. Yago Dos Santos (175-PG) answered with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for Brazil. Kayo Mafio (198-PF) chipped in 10 points in the loss.
USA - Puerto Rico 105-54
Team USA cruised past Puerto Rico in the opening game of the championship for both sides. Markus Howard (185-G-99) stepped up with 19 points to lead the winners. Team USA dominated from start to finish. They built a 54:29 halftime advantage. Team USA controlled the tempo in the second half and raced to the win. Kevin Knox II (201-F-99) and Wendell Carter (206-C-99) produced 15 points each for the Team USA. Eric Ayala (193-F/G-99) responded with 17 points for Puerto Rico. Fabian Rial (190-G-99) had 13 points in the loss.
Group B
Argentina - Mexico 85-70
Jonatan Basualdo (197-F-99) and Lautaro Lopez (188-G-99) scored 20 points each to pace Argentina past Mexico in the opener in Group B. The hosts jumped to a 23:17 lead after the opening quarter. They boosted the gap in the second term. Argentina built a 42:28 halftime lead. Mexico narrowed the distance in the third term. The visitors pulled within 5 points at the final intermission. But Argentina sank 26 points in the fourth period and raced to the victory. Franco Baralle (177-PG-99) tossed in 13 points for Argentina. Salvador Martinez (193-SF) answered with 24 points for Mexico. Diego Willis (192-PG) chipped in 13 points in the loss.
Venezuela - Canada 55-84
Canada got to the winning start of their U16 FIBA Americas campaign. The North American side rolled past Venezuela in Group B. Danilo Djuricic (200-F-99) scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the winners. Canada unleashed 29 points in the first period to take a 23-point lead. Venezuela slowed their opponents down in the second term. The Latin American team pulled within 19 points at the interval 28:47. However Canada replied with a 25:7 run in the third term and cleared off for good. Ignas Brazdeikis (198-G/F-99) produced 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Noah Kirkwood (195-G/F-0) chipped in 13 points for the winners. Carlos Paez (179-PG-0) responded with 14 points for Venezuela. Alvaro Rodriguez (190-G-99) tossed in 9 points in the defeat.
