San Antonio Spurs’ Cory Joseph and Team Canada are in dire need of a win after losing their second game in round two of the 2011 FIBA Americas tournament to Puerto Rico 79-74.
Puerto Rico had an early 22-21 lead at the end of the first quarter, Canada would cut the deficit to 13 by halftime. Puerto Rico’s lead rose to 15 at the end of the third quarter and in the final quarter Canada outscored them 27-17. But it wasn’t enough as Puerto Rico held on for the win.
Joseph ended the game with two points, three rebounds, and one assist while shooting 1-of-5 from the field in 14 minutes. Canada was led by New York Knicks’ Andy Rautin’s 18 points. Carlos Arroyo led Puerto Rico with 26 points and four assists.
Tiago Splitter and Brazil moved to 2-0 in the second round of the FIBA Eurobasket as they defeated Panama by 25 points, 90-65.
Brazil took a 16 point lead into halftime and never looked back as they went on to score 20 or more points in all four quarters. Splitter only had to play 17 minutes as he produced three points, three rebounds,, three assists, one steal, and one block.
Brazil was led by Guilherme Giovannoni’s 17 points and three assists. Danilo Pinnock led Panama in scoring with 17 points.
Joseph and Canada will face Uruguay on Wednesday as they are now desperate for a win to make it into Saturday’s advancement round. Splitter will face his Spurs running mate Manu Ginobili as Argentina and Brazil, the two elite powers in the tournament, square off on Wednesday.
(Photo: Yahoo Sports)
