Thursday 26 July 2007

Canada Relegated to Classification Round after resounding loss to Brazil

In a game in which Canada never led, the Brazilians quickly increased a 16 point halftime lead to 26 by scoring 14 of the first 18 points of the second half and cruised to an easy victory over our Senior Men's team in front of 8,300 fans in Rio de Janiero. With the loss, Canada (0-2) is eliminated from championship round play as Puerto Rico (2-0) defeated the U.S. Virgin Islands (0-2) 62-57. Brazil jumped out to a 13-3 run off the opening tip but Canada fought back and after Vlad Kuljanin's layin, Canada was back to within 2 at 25-23. Brazil then took off on a 18-3 run midway through the second half and for all intents and purposes it was game done. Andy Rautins led Canada with 16 points on 4-9 3's but only 5 in the second half when Canada shot about 30% from the floor, 2-10 3's (after going 8-14 3's in the first half) and was outscored 45-26. Canada was outrebounded 36-18. Murilo Da Rosa led Brazil with 24 points and 7 boards while Marcus Vinicius added 14 and J.P. Batista did his work inside with 12 points on 5-8 shooting. Brazil shot 58% for the game. Aaron Doornekamp had 7 points, all in the second half, for Canada, while Jermaine Bucknor had 9 points, all in the first half before fouling out. Ryan Bell had 4 points while Osvaldo Jeanty did not play. Canada meets U.S. Virgin Islands tomorrow.

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