Canada’s student men’s team finished in fourth-place at the 2013 FISU Summer Universiade following an 87-74 loss to Serbia in the bronze medal match. The team’s record at the event, also known as the World University Games, concludes at a 6-2 mark.

The match opened with both teams competing hard to gain an early advantage, but neither side could pull ahead. Strong back-and-forth play from both ends kept the game tied midway through the quarter. A three-ball from Kyle Wiltjer gave Canada the lead, but Serbia quickly responded and ended the frame on a 12-4 run. An aggressive Serbian side attacked the basket throughout the first half. In 20 minutes, Serbia was awarded 20 free-throw attempts; they made 16 en route to a 47-37 lead.

Canada’s student men rallied in the third frame. The Canadians came alive from beyond-the-arc to battle back into the contest. Four three-pointers – Philip Scrubb made two, followed by one from Brady Heslip, before Scrubb made another – pulled Canada within two points. Team Canada’s hot hand culminated in a Kevin Pangos basket at the buzzer to give Canada 26 points in the frame and a 63-61 advantage.

As deadly as Canada had been from the floor in the third, Serbia’s offense was equally potent in the final frame. The two teams exchanged chances in the early-going and the game was knotted at 70-a-piece at the five-minute-mark. From there, Team Serbia would regain its footing and resume its attack with a game-ending 17-4 stretch.

Toronto, Ont. native Dwight Powell was Canada’s highest point-producer, notching 12 on the day to accompany eight rebounds. Thomas Scrubb – Philip’s older brother – notched 11 points and collected six rebounds. Daniel Mullings fell one-rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points in the match. The game’s full set of statistics can be seen here.

Canada’s student men’s team wraps-up the summer competitive season with a record of 15-2, including a highly successful 9-0 sweep of the Four Nations International Invitational Tournament in China. The athletes will take the lessons they’ve learned this summer and continue their growth and development with the sport.

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