RECIFE (Brazil) - Facing each other in a competitive game for just the third time in history, with both teams sitting at 1-1 in Group, Canada managed to get the win over Colombia and move to the top half of the group in a 62-61 win at the FIBA AmeriCup.

The evenly matched teams shared baskets in the first quarter switching leads before Canada took the reigns and led 21-16 to end the quarter, with Trae Bell-Haynes already in double digit scoring with 10 points in the quarter including two triples.

Jamie Echenique kept up the momentum of his stellar play in the tournament netting 9 points by the end of the first quarter as well.

Colombia hustled to take back the lead going on a 12-0 run to start the second quarter while Canada’s offensive struggles showed once again in the second quarter as they scored just 9 point and their team shooting percentage dropped to 36 percent - down from 47 percent the first quarter.

Juan Tello’s 9 point, 5 rebound quarter helped Colombia apply the pressure on Canada as they could not find an answer for Tello and Echenique, and either committed fouls or turned the ball over in response that in turn increased Colombia’s lead to 38-30.

Dalano Banton tried to keep Canada afloat on both sides of the ball, tallying 5 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists by the half, but Colombia’s physicality was unstoppable.

Bell-Haynes found a shooting rhythm in the third quarter netting 5 points after being held scoreless in the second, and Thomas Kennedy matched Colombia’s physical presence in the paint to add 8 points by the third quarter.

An 11-0 run by Canada put them within one point thanks to 6 points in four minutes from Banton, and his 15 second half points revived Canada’s offense to tie the game 61-61 with just under three minutes to play.

With neither team able to find the basket, the score remained tied with 12 seconds to play, and a Bell-Haynes free throw with one second left to play gave Canada the win at the buzzer.

Banton led all scorers with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists while Bell-Haynes added 19 points and 3 steals.

As Colombia managed just 7 points in the final quarter, Echenique led the team with 18 points while Tello added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

FIBA