San Juan, Puerto Rico – (BasketballBuzz) – With the 2014 FIBA World Championship qualifiers less than four days away Brazil handed Canada its fourth straight loss at the 2013 Tuto Marchand Continental Cup in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
With the game up for grabs and Brazil leading 70-68 Marcelinho Huertas buried a 3-pointer dagger to give extend the South Americans lead and a slim 77-70 victory over the Canadians.
Cory Joseph (Pickering, Ont.) had his best game in Canadian National team with uniform with a game-high 20 points and Andrew Nicholson showed off his versatility to finish 17 points and three rebounds. Brady Heslip also reached double figures with 14 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson picked up two early fouls and was ineffective with 5 points and zero rebounds. Joel Anthony (4 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks) and Levon Kendall (5 points, 9 rebounds) picked the rebounding duties as Canada edged Brazil 30-28 on the boards.
Canada started the game 1-6 from the floor and trailed 18-14 after the opening quarter as Larry Taylor buried a deep buzzer beater to end the quarter. Cory Joseph and Brady Heslip sparked the offensive in the second quarter to outscore Brazil 19-13 and both teams headed into the locker room tied at 31-31.
Brazil connected on two quick shots by Huertas and Garcia to grab an early five point that extend it to a game-high 12 points with four minutes to play in the period. Canada fought back and closed the quarter on 12-2 and the two teams were separated by just to points at 54-52.
Andrew Nicholson tied the contest at 61-61 with five minutes left in the game thanks to a three-pointer but Canada couldn’t regain the lead
Huertas led four Brazilian players in scoring with 18 points, six assists and four rebounds while Alex Garcia added 17points and Larry Taylor finished with 13 points.
Canada (2-4) thus far this season will open the 2013 FIBA Americas Championships against Jamaica, a team they defeated twice in Toronto prior leaving for the 2013 Tuto Marchand Continental Cup.
