The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) described the Dominican Republic’s defeat of Canada in the start of the FIBA U18 tournament as one of the first surprises of the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2024. The series is ongoing at the Estadio Obras Sanitarias in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
In its report on the game, FIBA highlighted that Frank Siaca was the hero when he scored with 28 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Dominican Republic a 79-77 victory over Canada in the second game of Group A.
Reporting on the game, FIBA wrote that the defense would then shut down as Canada missed three long-range shots after a pair of offensive rebounds, with Jalen Roane missing a tough attempt at the buzzer.
The Dominican U18 team had come back from an 8-point deficit (62-54) with 5:40 left in the regulation time and the team was close to putting the game away, when team Canada forced the overtime with a Tristan Beckford deuce to tie it at 69 with 37 seconds left on the clock.
For the Dominican Republic, Lucas Morillo was key in the comeback with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Félix Jorge also shined with 16 points, while point guard Danny Carbuccia, despite shooting just 2/14 from the field, finished with 12 points – including three consecutive free throws to tie the game at 77 with 50 seconds to go in overtime. He also dished 9 assists and added 6 steals. Siaca flirted with a double-double and finished with 9 points and 9 boards.
Beckford led Canada with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Justus Haseley added 11 points with 6 boards and 5 dimes, while Roane and Efeosa Oliogu had 10 points apiece.
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FIBA U18 Basketball
El Dia
5 June 2024