Canada stays undefeated in Group E with statement win over Panama

EDMONTON (Canada) – Already securing their spot in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, Canada stayed perfect and moved to 10-0 in Group E after defeating Panama 112-71 in front of their home crowd once again at the Edmonton EXPO Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Sunday night.

 

Panama’s first basket would be the only time they led all game as they shared baskets through the first quarter, with Tyler Gaskins, Ernesto Oglivie and Josimar Ayarza all netting 5 points each in the quarter.

Canada would thrive with their rotation as always as Conor Morgan and Trae Bell-Haynes both already had 7 points in the quarter – Morgan shooting 100 percent – and Aaron Best adding 6 points on perfect shooting of his own.

Leading 30-21 going into the second quarter, Panama cut the deficit to just four points as they managed to get close at 32-28, but Canada would go on a 17-0 run that would just start the large gap they’d create against Panama.

Not only did Canada hold Gaskins and Oglivie scoreless, they held Ayarza to just 2 points and Panama as a team was held to 11 points in the quarter while Best managed to score 14 first half points.

Bad turnovers from a frustrated Panama team and tenacious efforts from Canada helped the home team add another 18 points from turnover during the match compared to Panama getting just 5 points as Canada only turned the ball over eight times.

 

Melvin Ejim and Phil Scrubb would be instrumental to Canada’s start to the second half as they went on a 10-0 run and increased their lead to 30 less than three minutes into the start of the third quarter.

Panama had no answer for Canada’s three-point shooting as they shot 50 percent making 15 triples including Best hitting 6-of-8 for 18 of his 20 points through three quarters as well as Kassius Robertson adding three more three-pointers for 9 of his 13 points.

Playing with one of the strongest benches in the competition since day one, Canada had five players with 10 or more points already before the fourth quarter even started, though Panama would refuse to slow down.

Going on a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter, Panama was led by Eugenio Luzcando working overtime on defense and converting on offense to give Panama life, with Trevor Gaskins continuing to push after being held down by Canada early.

AmeriCup standout Jahvon Henry-Blair added 7 points as a reserve and Jean-Victor Mukama made an impact off the bench with Mukama scoring seven points in just over four minutes - proving Canada’s game comes down to all 12 men contributing on the floor.

Seven Canadian scorers finished in double-digit scoring as Best led all scorers with 22 points while Robertson added 13 and Bell-Haynes, Morgan and Ejim all added 12.

Oglivie led Panama in scoring with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Carlos Rodriquez was one of four other scorers who finished with 10 or more points, adding 13 and 5 assists.

Despite a strong star five, Panama’s bench added just 11 points, which not enough to take down a much stronger Canada reserve lineup.

 

FIBA