POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Brady Heslip
Group A
USA - Venezuela 85-62
The USA got to the winning start of their Panamerican Games campaign. They knocked down Venezuela for 1-0 record in Group A. Damien Wilkins (198-G-80, college: Georgia) finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Venezuela enjoyed a 41:33 halftime lead. But the USA turned the tables in the second half. They went on a 52:21 rally to seal a comfortable victory. Anthony Randolph (211-F/C-89, college: LSU) finished with 16 points for the winners. John Cox (194-G-81, college: USF) and Luis Bethelmy (200-F/C-86) responded with 14 points each for Venezuela.
Brazil - Puerto Rico 92-59
Brazil rallied past Puerto Rico in the opener. Rafael Hettsheimer (206-C-86) stepped up with 19 points for teh winners. Brazil overwhelmed Puerto Rico in the first half. They recorded a comfortable 60:17 halftime lead. Puerto Rico narrowed the gap in the second half but could not avoid the defeat. Vitor Benite (191-SG-90) posted 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Jezreel De Jesus (185-G-91) and Gilberto Clavell (200-F-89, agency: Inception Sports, college: Sam Houston St.) responded with 8 points apiece for Puerto Rico.
Group B
Canada - Dominican Republic 105-88
Canada eased past Dominican Republic in the opener in Toronto. Brady Heslip (188-G-90, college: Baylor) stepped up with 24 points to lead the hosts. Canada unloaded 54 points in the first half to secure a 17-point lead. Dominican Republic narrowed the gap at 14-point mark at the final intermission. But the hosts dropped 29 points in the fourth stanza and iced the victory. Anthony Bennett (203-F-93, college: UNLV) accounted for 15 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Gerardo Suero (193-G-89, college: Albany) responded with 17 points for Dominican Republic.
Mexico - Argentina 86-84 OT
Mexico nipped Argentina in the first game in Group B. Hector Hernandez (205-PF-85, agency: Pro Sports, college: Fresno St.) recorded 19 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Mexico registered a 37:29 halftime advantage. They unloaded 27 points in the third term to gain a 13-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. But Argentina responded with a 25:12 surge in the fourth period to force overtime. However Mexico drained 10 points in the extra period and iced the victory. Gabriel Giron (190-G-88) netted 17 points in the win. Nicolas Laprovittola (193-PG-90) responded with 21 points for Argentina.
