POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Renaldo Balkman
Puerto Rico - Brazil 79-66
Puerto Rico got to the winning start of the Marchand Cup tournament campaign. Renaldo Balkman (203-F-84, college: S.Carolina, agency: CAA Sports) scored 16 points to pace the winners. Puerto Rico jumped to a 23:13 lead after the opening quarter. Brazil denied the deficit in the second term. The visitors tied things up at 35 at the interval. Puerto Rico regained the lead in the third term. They held Brazil to just 12 points to take a 7-point lead at the final intermission. Puerto Rico unloaded 25 points in the fourth term and raced to the victory. Jorge Bryan Diaz (210-C-89, college: Nebraska, agency: SSA) had 13 points and 8 rebounds, while Rivera added 11 points for the hosts. Joao Paulo Batista (205-C/F-81, college: Gonzaga, agency: AAI Sports) responded with 19 points for Brazil. Augusto Lima (207-C-91, agency: Management Arior) netted 14 points and collected 8 rebounds in the loss.
Argentina - Canada 80-85
Canada registered the first victory at the 2015 Marchand Cup. They knocked down Argentina in San Juan. Andrew Wiggins (203-G-95, college: Kansas, agency: BDA Sports) stepped up with 18 points to pace the winners. Canada unloaded 30 points in the first period to open a 7-point lead. Canada held their opponents to just 14 points in the second frame to record a 45:37 halftime lead. Canada stayed in control throughout the third term. The North American team ensured a 10-point lead at the final intermission. Argentina dropped 30 points in the fourth frame but just sweetened the pill at the end. Philip Scrubb (190-G-92, agency: Entersport) netted 12 points, while Dwight Powell (211-F-91, college: Stanford, agency: Excel Sports Mngm) added 11 points for Canada. Luis Scola (206-F/C-80, agency: AAI Sports) and Andres Nocioni (202-SF-79, agency: AAI Sports) responded with 23 points for Argentina.
