HEADLINE‍

- Canada was unable to sustain its first half form, and eventually fell 106-101 to Argentina in overtime in Classification Round 5-8 action at the FIBA U19 Men’s Basketball World Cup 2023 on Saturday in Debrecen, Hungary.‍

HOW IT HAPPENED‍

- Trailing 11-10 near the midway point of the game’s opening quarter, Canada found their rhythm and proceeded to go on a 23-6 run to close the first. 15 of the points came via the three ball, as Elijah Fisher, Xaivian Lee, Jordann Dumont, Jahari Williamson and Thomas Hurley all connected from deep to help Canada to a 16-point lead. 

- Canada grew the lead to 18 at recess, but it was Argentina who took over in the second half. They outscored Canada 28-19 in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to just nine entering the fourth.

- Canada nearly held off Argentina throughout the fourth, until the final minute. A seven-point quickly evaporated, as a pair of Argentina quick buckets trimmed their deficit to just three with a half minute to go. Then with just 7.7 seconds remaining in the fourth, trailing by three, Argentina connected from long-range to tie the game up at 89 apiece, ultimately sending the game to overtime.

- Xaivian Lee got Canada on the board in overtime, but from there Argentina scored the next eight points, including a pair of three-pointers to take a six-point advantage. From there, they were able to hold Canada at bay and record the win.

‍CANADA HIGHLIGHTS

- Four different Canadians registered 16+ points, including Xaivian Lee. Lee led Canada with 21 points, as he scored double-digit points for the fifth-straight game at the World Cup. The Princeton Tigers guard also had a team-high 21 points and five rebounds.

- After a World Cup-best 13 points vs. Turkey on Friday, TJ Hurley improved on the mark with an 18-point performance on Saturday. Hurley shot a remarkable 6-9 from long range, while hauling in seven rebounds. 

- Hurley’s six three-pointers tied Spain’s Alejandro Moreno’s mark for most in a single-game at the World Cup. 

- Elijah Fisher and Bubu Benjamin each scored 16 points. Fisher recorded seven rebounds, while Benjamin had eight rebounds and four assists.

- Jaion Pitt and David Simon were each disruptive on the defensive end, recording three blocks apiece, while Pitt had a team-high nine rebounds.

‍NEXT UP

- Canada will wrap up the World Cup on Sunday against Japan to decide seventh-place. Tip-off time is TBD. Fans can watch all of the action on the FIBA YouTube Channel.