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Canada to play for gold after semifinal win over Argentina
HEADLINE
Canada will play for gold at the FIBA U16 Men’s Americas Championship 2023 after moving to 5-0 at the tournament following a 65-58 semifinal win over Argentina on Saturday night in Yucatán, Mexico.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- For the second-straight night, Canada came out strong as Paul Osaruyi and Kamai Samuels combined for nine points to help Canada get out front with an early 9-2 advantage. Yet Argentina found their rhythm as the first quarter moved along, closing on 12-5 run to take a two-point lead into the second quarter.
- The Argentinian momentum carried over into the second quarter as a Cesar Martinez transition lay-in extended their lead to double-digits for the first time in the game.
- Coming out of halftime, Canada responded with one of their best quarters in the tournament. They scored points on their first four possessions of the half and outscored Argentina 9-3 in the opening 2:09 to quickly erase a four-point halftime deficit.
- After Canada tied the game at the 8:58 mark of the third quarter, Argentina would never lead again, as they carried the advantage for the remainder of the semifinal en route to a return to the gold medal game.
CANADA HIGHLIGHTS
- Samuels and Osaruyi recorded 15 points apiece in the win. Samuels stuffed the score sheet, chipping in 10 rebounds and six assists, while Osaruyi recorded his fourth double-double of the tournament after hauling in 10 rebounds.
- Quinten Ethier was efficient from the field, connecting on three of his six attempts from long-range. The St. Catharines, Ont. product had three of Canada’s seven three-pointers on the night, while Elijah Patterson, Patrick Anamali and Maxandre Calixte each connected once from beyond-the-arc.
- With the exception of Felipe Minzer’s 27 points, Canada held Argentina to just 13-51 (25.4 per cent) from the field.
- Osaruyi had arguably the highlight of the night for Canada after receiving a dish along the baseline from Samuels, before elevating over an Argentinian defender and finishing with a ferocious one-handed slam.
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QUOTABLE
“Our level of urgency and enthusiasm in the first half was not up to our standards. I reminded them that this is their opportunity. How they responded in the second half was all them. I’m very proud of how they responded.” - Canada head coach Chris Cheng on what stood out to him about the win.
“The two best teams in the tournament collide tomorrow and we can’t wait. We know USA is dominant, but so are we. Urgency and enthusiasm gives us the energy and concentration we need to execute. We are going to need to do that tomorrow night for 40 minutes.” - Cheng on the team having the opportunity to take on USA on Sunday.
“Rest and sleep tonight. Tomorrow we put in work.” - Cheng on his message to his team ahead of the gold medal game.
HISTORY FILE
- Canada will play for gold for the fourth time in the history of the tournament and for the first time since 2019.
- With the win, Canada guaranteed themselves a medal at the FIBA U16 Men’s Americas Championship, continuing the country’s run of medalling at every edition of the tournament since its inception in 2009.
- Canada moved to 3-3 all-time at the FIBA U16 Men's Americas Championship against Argentina with the win.
- Canada will look to become the first country outside of the USA to win the FIBA U16 Men’s Americas Championship, with the Americans having won each of the seven previously held editions of the tournament dating back to 2009.
NEXT UP
- Canada and USA will meet in the gold medal game on Sunday night, as the pair of countries renew their rivalry at the FIBA U16 Men's Americas Championship.
- Canada last met USA in the gold medal game at the tournament in 2019. Despite Caleb Houstan and Ryan Nembhard combining for 46 points, USA emerged with a 94-77 victory to win their sixth gold medal in the history of the tournament. Canada suffered 111-60 and 77-60 defeats at the hands of the USA in the 2017 and 2015 gold medal games.
- Fans in Canada catch the gold medal game between USA and Canada streaming live on FIBA YouTube. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.
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