Canada opened the second window of the FIBA men's AmeriCup 2025 qualifiers with an 88-71 win over the Dominican Republic at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon last night...
Canada led 25-18 after the first quarter, with Mfiondu Kabengele dominating on both ends of the floor, dropping a team-high 17 points, along with two statement blocks.
Canada began to pull away in the second quarter, jumping out to an 11-point lead after Jackson Rowe connected back-to-back from beyond the arc. Rowe followed it up with a block on the defensive end, leaving the home team up, 39-24.
Trae Bell-Haynes finished with eight points, four rebounds, and a game-high ten assists – including an alley-oop to teammate Quincy Guerrier for a big slam to help Canada stay in front.
The Dominican Republic kept the contest within reach, led by LJ Figueroa’s 18 points, keeping the visitors within ten points. Canada entered the half with a healthy 12-point lead.
Coming out of the break, Canada hit the gas pedal. Thomas Kennedy hit the two-hand slam to give the team a burst of energy as the lead continued to climb.
This carried into the fourth quarter, when Jackson Rowe opened with a three-pointer, followed by an emphatic slam by Fardaw Aimaq to give Canada a 72-47 lead.
The lead never got within ten points for the rest of the game, and Canada secured the 17-point win.
Canada is now 3-0 in the FIBA Men’s AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers. They have a chance to remain undefeated in their next matchup against Mexico on Sunday, November 24th, at 2:00 p.m. at Saskatoon’s SaskTel Centre.
