Dominicans dominate, hand Canada first loss of Americas Qualifiers

SANTIAGO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) – The Dominican Republic ended the first window of the World Cup Qualifiers with top position in Group D following an 88-76 win over Canada in Santiago de los Caballeros.

The hosts had a better start to the game and raced into to an early 15-5 lead. Canada closed the gap to just three points by the end of the first quarter but Rigoberto Mendoza then entered the fray for the Dominicans and led them to a dominant second quarter. The home side, taking full advantage of the energy provided by the fans at the Arena del Cibao in Santiago, increased their advantage to as many as 24 points.

Canada managed to claw the deficit back to just 12 points by the end of the contest but the Dominicans, who got 25 points from Mendoza, celebrated a second straight win. The country's first triumph had come on Saturday against the Virgin Islands.

Rigoberto Mendoza led the scoring for the Dominicans with 25 points.

In February’s window of Americas Qualifiers, the Dominicans will play at both the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands. Meanwhile, Canada will visit the Virgin Islands and then travel to the Bahamas.

FIBA