Canada Holds Off Uruguay

Canada 95, Uruguay 88

- Canada controlled the 1st half action, and looked to be too deep for Uruguay to handle. But Uruguay made one of their patented 2nd half comeback (they did vs both Panama & P. Rico), and they made a run at the start of the 3rd, and kept the game competitve til the end. Canada's overall size eventually made the difference, and Team Canada commanded the boards (+18 on the boards), and had their way offensively, shooting 56%.

- Dalembert was once again a factor in the interior discouraging looks in the paint. Uruguay took nearly as many 3pts attempts (31) as 2pt attempts (33), I think Sammy had a big reason to do with it. Dalembert had a big follow-up slam late in the 4th to stunt Uruguay's comeback. Sammy had 10pts, 5 rebs & 3 blks for the game.

- Team Canada made a concerted effort to feed Jesse Young on the block, and the hoser delivered with 22 pts on 10/16. Canada's other PF, Levon Kendall, brought his usual workmanlike effort in the interior with 9pts, 9 rebs (6 off), and solid defense. He was always a solid role player at Pitt, and I'm wondering if he might not be able to carve out a niche in the NBA as bench player who sets good screens, rebounds a little, has a decent jumper and provides solid defense. PG Jermaine Anderson (ex-Fordham) had his patented jumper working again today for 3/5 from long range--Jermaine ended with 13 pts, 4 rebs, & 4 assts.

- I have to ask where the hell was sharpshooting Nicolas Mazzarino? Mazzarino sat out most of the 2nd & the entire 3rd quarter didn't return until the 7:00 min of the 4th. He only played 20 mins, but still managed 17 pts (3/5 3pt). Sometimes you'll hurt your brain trying to figure out the rotation patterns of some of these int'l coaches.

- Esteban Batista was not quite as effective against the solid frontline of Canada, and could not just overpower them like he has done to other teams--the former Atlanta Hawk had 16 & 6 rebs. Back-up Leandro Garcia-Morales brought his usual all-around energy in the 2nd half, and ended with 17 pts, 3 assts, & 2 stls.

- Canada has a big matchup today vs. Argentina that could go a long way to determining who ends up with a Top 3 seed going into the playoff portion; good idea to avoid the #4 seed which have to face the US in the Semis. Will see if Canada's solid interior defense can put the clamps on Luis Scola.