2023-09-03 15:30:00
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points, including 14 on 16 free throws, as Canada beat Spain 88-85 to advance to the quarterfinals at the Basketball World Cup.
This victory also allows Canada to obtain its ticket for the Olympic Games in Paris, next summer. Canadians will compete in the Olympics for the first time since 2000.
Canada will play Slovenia on Wednesday in the quarter-finals.
Dillon Brooks had a strong defensive game and provided 22 points for Canada (4-1), while Gilgeous-Alexander added seven assists and four rebounds.
Willy Hernangomez was the most productive side of Spain (3-2) with 25 points. Santiago Aldama added 20 points.
A 69-65 loss to Brazil on Friday put Canada in a position to beat Spain to continue their tournament adventure.
With Canada trailing 78-74, Gilgeous-Alexander had a stride shot and forced a foul. He hit the free throw to close the gap to a single point with 1:51 to go.
Hernangomez was fouled at the other end of the field and made both of his free throws to make it 80-77.
Brooks tied the game on the next possession with a three-pointer with 1:12 on the clock. He then caused a turnover by forcing Alex Abrines out of bounds.
Gilgeous-Alexander gave Canada the lead with a two-point jump shot with 43.5 seconds left. After a missed Spanish shot, Gilgeous-Alexander had two free throws, providing a four-point cushion for Canada.
The cat-and-mouse game continued, but Gilgeous-Alexander remained perfect every time he was sent to the free-throw line, preventing Spain from getting back into the game.
A last long Spanish shot from three points touched the basket ring without passing through the goal, when there was no more time on the clock.
As for him, the Montrealer Luguentz Dort spent more than 27 minutes on the ground for 3 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
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