Action from last night’s game between the Dominican Republic and Canada at the Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto. External source.
SANTO DOMINGO.- The quintet representing Canada defeated the Dominican Republic team 85-79 at the Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto, extending their undefeated record to 3-0, and taking command of Group C of the Americas, at the close of the Saturday day of the Second Window of the Qualifier for the Basketball World Cup 20-23.
The Dominican is now 1-2, occupying the second rung. The Bahamas, who defeated the Virgin Islands earlier in the day, have 1-2, while the islanders place their record at 0-3, in the aforementioned Group, in which the first places will qualify for the next phase to form a package of six teams with Group A.
A well-distributed offense with four men scoring in double figures, led by Kyle Witjer who produced 15 points, was key to the Canadians’ victory.
Witjer was followed on offense by Phil Scrubb with 14, Kaza Kajami-Keane with 13 and Kassius Robertson with 10 points.
In the losing cause for the Dominican quintet, captain Víctor Liz stood out with 29 points, being the best scorer of the challenge.
However, the Dominican team showed up last night with a rather messy offense, and lousy from the free throw line, failing 21 attempts.
In a rather hard-fought first half, in which both teams put in a lot of defense, the Canadian troop went into the break with a six-point lead on the board (42-36), with Kyler Alexander being their best man in that part with 8 points.
For the Dominican Republic, once again captain Víctor Liz, who was quite active in quick defense and attack, scored 14 to lead the tricolor offense in that first half.
Starting in the third quarter, the Canadians once again imposed their excellent ball rotation on offense, which they managed to combine with a visible advantage in height under the boards, and at the end of that period they dominated 64-56.
The Dominican team pressed in the last quarter, but fell short without being able to counteract the dominance and advantage of the visiting team.
Sunday Games
This Sunday, at 3:00 in the afternoon, the Virgin Islands will clash against Canada, and at 6:00, the Dominican Republic vs. Bahamas.
