Andrew Wiggins scored 14 of his game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter as Team Canada defeated USA East 104-83 to advance to the 2011 Nike Global Challenge Finals.
An even first quarter came to an end with USA East up 21-20. Canada outplayed their opponents to take 44-41 lead at half-time.
The third period saw more of the same, as both teams opted for full-court pressure, Isaiah Watkins connected on four free-throws late in the period to give the Canadians a 72-64 lead after three quarters.
Xavier Rathan-Mayes started the final quarter with a three-pointer to extend Team Canada’s lead to 11 points early on.
Jerami Grant connected on a long deuce with 5:44 to play to bring USA East within 4 at 80-76 before Andrew Wiggins put the finishing touches on a hard-fought battle.
Top players for Canada included Andrew Wiggins with 21 points, five rebounds and two steals, Sim Bhullar finished with a double-double of 16 points and eleven rebounds.
Xavier Rathan-Mayes was on fire all-night long and finished with 19 points (8/15 FG) and four assists off of the bench. Tyler Ennis had 14 points, six assists and five rebounds in an all-around game.
Anthony Bennett also added 13 points and 6 rebounds in an efficient 6-of09 shooting
USA East got strong performances from Omar Calhoun 22 points and four rebounds, Brice Johnson 14 points and 5 rebounds and Jerami Grant with 10 points and nine boards.
Canada advances to the 2011 Nike Global Challenge finals and will play the winner of USA West vs. USA Mid-West tomorrow at 8:00 PM.
Team Canada came-up short in the 2009 Nike Global Challenge finals as Myck Kabongo missed a three-point shot at the buzzer, giving USA East a 105-104 victory and the championship game.
