Canada jumped out to a 33-16 first quarter lead and never looked back, whipping Panama 99-49 for its second straight win at the FIBA men’s AmeriCup tournament on Saturday in Managua, Nicaragua.
Canada improved to 2-0 in Group B and will face Puerto Rico, also 2-0, on Monday in the final game of the four-team, round robin pool.
The 50-point win margin by Canada was its second biggest all-time at the tournament. The victory also clinched a quarterfinal spot for the Canadians.
Puerto Rico defeated winless Venezuela 97-70 in an earlier game Saturday. Panama and Venezuela are both 0-2 in Group B and will meet on Monday.
Nate Darling led Canada against Panama with 22 points at the Alexis Arguello Sports Complex. Kyle Wiltjer, Leonard Miller and Mfiondu Kabengele all scored 13 points. Wiltjer also chipped in with nine rebounds, while Charles Bediako had eight boards.
Luis Rodriguez Jr. led Panama with 10 points, while Guillermo Navarro scored nine points. Aaron Gedeon had five rebounds in the loss.
Canada, which led by as many as 56 points was ahead 54-31 at halftime and took a 74-35 lead into the final quarter.
Canada led in shooting percentage 56 per cent to 33), outrebounded Panama 44-27, had more assists (29-12) and more blocks (6-0).
Canada scored 14 points off turnovers, 11 off fast breaks, 44 from the paint and the Canadian bench outscored Panama’s bench 54-19.
More Stories
Henderson ends title drought, winning home CPKC Women’s Open for 2nd time of career
Leylah Fernandez cruises past Rebecca Marino in all-Canadian 1st-round matchup at U.S. Open
Strong second half spurs Stampeders to 32-15 win over Roughriders