With a 92-76 victory over the Dominican Republic, Canada has earned a bronze medal at the FIBA U16 Americas Championships and has finished on the podium at every Americas Championships since 2009.
Led by small forward Yeison Liberato’s 17 points, the Dominican Republic opened the game going toe-to-toe with the Canadians offensively who answered with Mikkel Tyne and Ishan Sharma both scoring seven points in the first quarter. Tyne ended the game with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Sharma ended the game with 14 points and four assists.
Canada’s defence once again kicked into gear in the second quarter and took a 45-34 lead into the half, once again holding the opposing team to just one made a three-pointer in the first half and only three made all game.
FIBA Americas Championship Bronze Medalists Canada (photo courtesy FIBA/Canada Basketball)
The Canadian squad’s offence carried them the rest of the way with every member of the roster getting in on the scoring action, but Canada’s leading scorer Efeosa Oliogu took a back seat to the team play scoring just two points and one rebound.
While Canada has struggled to get consistent production from their bench throughout the tournament, Western Reserve Academy guard Jacob Theodosiou stepped up in the second half and had his best performance of the tournament, leading all Canadian’s with 15 points and two assists while disrupting passing lanes, leading to three steals. Dream City Christian School guard AJ Osman also had his first big showing of the tournament with 13 points.
The win marks the fourth time that Canada has finished in third place since the inaugural event in 2009 and the first third-place finish since 2013 when they defeated Puerto Rico 62-50.
CANADA VS. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BOXSCORE
