Canada's senior men's national basketball team faced disappointment as they dropped their first game of the current FIBA AmeriCup qualifying window, losing 74-65 to the Dominican Republic. The defeat took place on Friday in Santo Domingo, marking a setback for the Canadian squad, which now holds a qualifying record of 4-1.
With a win, Canada would have clinched their spot in the prestigious quadrennial tournament. Instead, they found themselves struggling to reclaim control after the Dominican Republic launched a formidable 10-2 run at the beginning of the second half, fueled by two costly turnovers from the Canadians. Andres Feliz shone for the Dominican team, leading the scoring with 18 points, complemented by six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. David Jones also contributed significantly, scoring 13 points along with four rebounds and four assists.
The game was characterized by the Dominican Republic’s dominance, as they managed to lead for all but 26 seconds of play, with their largest lead stretching to 15 points. The Canadians couldn’t find their rhythm, primarily due to their staggering number of turnovers, totaling 18 compared to the Dominican's seven.
While Canada showcased some resilience during the game, including a 9-0 run bolstered by Trae Bell-Haynes’ three-pointer, they quickly lost the advantage and were unable to recover it for the duration of the contest. Despite struggling with their shooting, the Dominican team managed to secure the win, shooting only 19 percent from three-point range and 42 percent from the free-throw line.
Looking forward, the Canadians have another opportunity to secure their AmeriCup berth with their next match against Mexico, scheduled for Monday. Nathaniel Mitchell, the Canadian team's head coach, emphasized the importance of regrouping and focusing on continuous improvement. "It’s going to be very important. We’ve got to regroup from this and continue to getbetter," he noted, acknowledging the lessons learned from this challenging loss.
The 2025 FIBA AmeriCup is set to take place from August 23 to 31, hosted for the first time by Managua, Nicaragua. Canada has their work cut out for them, as their fate now also hinges on the results of Nicaragua's remaining games or their point differential. This upcoming game against Mexico not only serves as another chance for Canada to solidify their standing but also as a pivotal moment to restore confidence and competitiveness after this setback.
Fans can catch the game live on Sportsnet 360 or Sportsnet+ at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, as the team aims to turn this disappointment around and secure their place among the best. For now, the loss serves as both a wake-up call and a reminder of the fierce competition present in the qualifiers as they strive for success on the international stage.