It was raining three-pointers in Shanghai as Team Canada kicked-off the classification round with a record-breaking 126-71 blow-out win over winless Jordan (0-4) to improve to 2-2 at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.
Canada knocked down a record setting 24 three-pointers — the most ever in a FIBA game since the federation started tracking the stat in 1994. The Canadian’s buried 24-of-44 (54.5%) three-pointers in the 55-point beat-down.
The previous FIBA three-point record stood since 1994, the USA knocked-down 19 triples twice — against Puerto Rico in 134-83 win, and again in a 137-91 championship victory over the Russians.
Canada’s FIBA World Cup team record stood firmly at 13 three-pointers against Angola on August 30, 2002 at the World Championships in Indianapolis.
Canada connected on 13-of-28 (46.4%) in that game and broke the long-standing achievement in a blistering first-half with 14-of-23 triples which included a half-court buzzer-beater by Cory Joseph The USA record fell with 8:52 to play in the fourth-quarter on a made triple by Philip Scrubb.
Canada ties FIBA World Cup Assist Record
The Canadians never trailed — outscored Jordan 28-13 in the first-quarter and led by 28-points, at 63-35 by the time the half-time whistle sounded. Jordan failed to make any adjustments at the break with the Canadians splashing home a 36-point quarter pushing the lead to 99-50 with a quarter to play.
Canada knocked down 44-of-75 (59%), 14-of-17 from the foul-line and had a tournament best 37 assists on 44 made baskets — tying the FIBA World Cup all-time single-game record for assists. Canada now shares the milestone with Serbia – whose 37 assists against Philippines in the group stage set record.
Kyle Wiltjer on fire
Kyle Wiltjer was on fire knocking down 7-of-9 three-pointers in 21 minutes — scoring a tournament-high for Canada with 29 points on 11-of-14 field goals.
“Our main goal is to make the Olympics, so every game we have to get better as a program and I think we did that today.” – Kyle Wiltjer
All of Canada’s players hit the scoresheet with no player playing less than 13 minutes.
Cory Joseph nearly had a double-double with 11 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds in 19 minutes — knocking down 3-of-5 triples. Conor Morgan came off the bench in his first significant action since joining the team with 14 points 3 rebounds, 2-of-4 triples.
Jordan was limited to 27-of-67 shooting and just 6-of-22 from downtown.
New FIBA Record 24 three-pointers
Melvin Ejim had another solid outing with 13 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals. Kevin Pangos reached double-figures once again with 10 points, 4 assists on 2-of-4 from downtown. Brady Heslip 9 points, 3-of-6 triples. Khem Birch continued to throw-down big dunks, contributing with 7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals.
“Our guys did a good job, took a real professional approach. We’re trying to play tough defense, as much as we can and share the ball on offense, play driving and kicking out to three-point style of offense and today that was going pretty well.” – head coach Nick Nurse
Canada largest all-time victory 128-38 Malaysia
Canada largest victory at a FIBA World Cup is 128-38 — 90-point drumming of Malaysia at the 1986 World Championships in Spain. The 55-point win over Jordan is the third-largest margin of victory by a Canadian team ever at either Olympics or World Cup, dating back to 1936 and 1959 respectively.
Canada beat Iran 81-25, a 56-point beat-down on August 7th, 1948. Furthermore, the margin victory over Jordan trailed only the Serbians 59-point blow-out (126-67) of the Philippines as the most lopsided game of the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
NBA record 26 three-pointers Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets set a NBA record with 26 three-pointers in a 136-118 win over the Washington Wizards on December 19, 2018. NBA plays 48 minutes while FIBA opts to go with a 40-minute variation.
Canada (2-2) closes out the 2019 FIBA World Cup with a massive game against Germany (2-2) on Monday September 9th. The winner of that game will automatically claim an invitation to one of the 2020 Olympic Qualifying tournaments.
