A talent-filled Canada was far too much for the Virgin Islands

OTTAWA (FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers 2019) - Being locals worked wonders for the Canadian National Team.

The North American team once again demonstrated their quality in another comfortable win this Monday, this time against the US Virgin Islands, 99-69, in a game held at The Arena at TD Place in Ottawa; the last of the initial round of Group D for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers China 2019.

 

With this win, Canada ended their first phase of the windows with a 5-1 record and stay in first place, no matter if the Dominican Republic (4-1) win against the Bahamas on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Virgin Islands ended the round with a 2-4 record, their wins being against the eliminated Bahamas (0-5).

Canada, the Dominican Republic, and the Virgin Islands are the three qualified National Teams from Group D that will meet the winners from Group B: Brazil, Venezuela, and Chile or Colombia, in the next rounds of the Qualifiers that starts next September.

Canada had five players with double-digit scores, with Kelly Olynyk and Phil Scrubb standing out with 14 points each. Young player R.J. Barrett (five rebounds and three assists) scored 13 points, while Dillon Brooks scored 12, and Cory Joseph 11 points with six rebounds and six assists.

On the Virgin Islands’ side, Craig Williams was the best with 12 points, and Ivan Aska aided with 10 points. The Virgin Islands did not have the services of point guard Walter Hodge, who could not make the trip because of some legal issues in Puerto Rico.

The Virgin Islands were a worthy rival in the first 20 minutes, even though Canada went back to the locker room with the advantage, 46-34.

But on the third quarter there was a huge difference between both National Teams: Virgin Islands was missing Hodge and a Canada was full of talent.

The Canadians opened the third quarter with a 9-0 advantage that included a steal, a dunk, and a three-pointer by Olynyk for the enjoyment of the fans, 55-34.

The Virgin Islands did not have an answer to Canada’s fast game, that with another 10-2 advantage, it assured the game for the North Americans, 67-42. The Virgin Islanders were never a threat and Canada closed the quarter with a comfortable 77-50 advantage.

The fourth quarter was one of pure business where Canada kept their lead, without the Virgin Islands giving a hint of recovery.

With a balanced offense and a rebound command, Canada took the first half, 46-34.

The Virgin Islands showed resistance in the first quarter and with a two-pointer by Georgio Milligan that helped them stay in the fight, 18-15, with 1:37 left to play. Canada won the first 10 minutes, 20-16.

On the second quarter, Canada started to separate from their rival. Phil Scrubb shot a three-pointer to give the locals an advantage, 30-22. Hart took the Caribbean side closer, 31-26. However, the Canadian athletic game was present when a block from Bennett allowed a transition shot from Joseph to take back the lead, 38-26, with 4:28 left on the action.

Canada kept the difference the rest of the way and left for halftime in control, 46-34.

It was the second Canadian victory against the Virgin Islands on these Qualifiers. On February, Canada also easily won, 118-89, in a match held at Nassau.

FIBA