August 4, 2002
CANADIAN SENIOR MEN DROP FINAL AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA
(Toronto, ON - August 4, 2002)- Today in Istanbul, Turkey, the Canadian senior men's basketball team lost in the final of the Efes Pilsen Istanbul World Cup to Yugoslavia, 101-82.
Yugoslavia jumped out to a quick start but Canada narrowed the score to 26-22 after the first quarter. Yugoslavia dominated the second quarter, outscoring Canada 32-14, resulting in their lead of 58-36 at the half. Leading scorers for Canada at the half included Richard Anderson (Ottawa, ON) with 7 points, followed by Shawn Swords (Ottawa, ON) and Prosper Karangwa (Montreal, QC), scoring 6 points and 5 points respectively.
In the third quarter Canada rallied to cut the margin to 12 on several occasions but got no closer to recovering the score. Yugoslavia dominated on the inside, scoring 23 of their 36 field goal attempts in the paint. They led by 14 to 20 points in the fourth quarter and all 12 players for Yugoslavia scored, shooting 59% from the field. Canada shot 39% and registered 4 of 21 shots from behind the three point arc (19%).
Yugoslavian player Milan Gurovic led all scorers with 22 points, followed by fellow teammate Vlado Skepanovic with 15 points and Predrag Stojakovic with 14 points. Richard Anderson topped the Canadian scorers list with 16 points, followed by Swords and Karangwa with 12 points and 11 points respectively. Mike Meeks (Brampton, ON) led on the boards with 7 rebounds, followed by David Thomas (Toronto, ON) and Richard Anderson with 5 rebounds each. Canada had 15 offensive rebounds and out rebounded their opponents 35-34.
"I congratulate Yugoslavia on winning this tournament and their fine play," said Jay Triano, head coach of the Canadian squad. "We lost our defensive focus in the second quarter and dug ourselves into a big hole. Yugoslavia took us out of some things on the offensive end, and tonight our shots did not drop."
In earlier action today Brazil defeated Turkey 69-65 to take the third-place finish.
Canada has a short break in pre-World Cup competition until they take on China August 16th in Vancouver, BC. The team then travels to Ontario where they will meet New Zealand and Russia as part of the Summer Series 2002, scheduled to run August 20th to 23rd.
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CANADIAN SENIOR MEN ADVANCE TO FINALS WITH A VICTORY OVER BRAZIL
(Toronto, ON - August 3, 2002)- Today in Istanbul, Turkey, the Canadian senior men's basketball team advanced to the finals of the Efes Pilsen Istanbul World Cup with a 91-88 victory over Brazil.
Canada jumped out to a quick start early in the first quarter, but Brazil was able to cut the margin leaving the score at 25-24 for Canada at the completion of the first quarter. Both teams traded baskets for much of the second quarter with Brazil holding a 47-46 half time lead. Mike Meeks (Brampton, ON) led half time scoring with 14 points. Richard Anderson (Ottawa, ON) and Prosper Karangwa (Montreal, QC) followed close behind with 7 points and 6 points respectively.
Brazil scored 12 of the first 14 points in the third to grab a 59-48 lead. Canada's reserves rallied on the defensive end and closed the quarter with a flurry, tying the score at 71. Canada built a 9 point lead early in the fourth only for Brazil to recover and tie the game. An opportunity came late in the fourth for Brazil to even the score at 89 points. Anderson Varejao missed a crucial foul shot with 6 seconds left, giving Canada the win.
Mike Meeks led all scorers with 21 points, followed by David Thomas (Toronto, ON) with 13 points and Greg Meldrum (West Vancouver, BC) with 11 points. Varejao led the Brazil team in scoring and rebounds with 17 points and 8 rebounds, followed by Helio Filho and Vanderlei Mazuchini with 16 points and 14 points respectively. Meeks and Anderson led the Canadian squad with 6 rebounds each. Shawn Swords (Ottawa, ON) and Andrew Kwiatkowski (Cambridge, ON) each grabbed five rebounds. Canada out rebounded Brazil 36-24 (21 of those being offensive boards). Canada made 26 of 35 shots from the free throw line. Brazil made 10 of 11 shots from behind the free throw line. Brazil shot 52% from the field, including 12 of 23 shots from behind the three point arc. Canada shot 46% from the field, making 9 of 21 shots from behind the three point line.
"I am very proud of my players as all ten made key contributions," said Jay Triano, head coach of the Canadian men's team. "Brazil is a very good team and it requires a tremendous work ethic to beat them. Our guys really wanted this victory and we made plays in the final five minutes to pull out the game."
Canada will play the winner of the Turkey-Yugoslavia match up on August 4, 2002.
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ROSS LEADS CANADIAN SENIOR MEN TO SEMI FINALS WIN OVER ALGERIA
(Toronto, ON - August 2, 2002)- Today in Istanbul, Turkey, the Canadian senior men's basketball team moved into the semi-finals of the Efes Pilsen Istanbul World Cup with a 99-70 victory over Algeria.
Canada jumped out to a quick 10-point advantage in the first five minutes of the game and ended the first quarter with a 30-14 lead. The teams traded baskets for much of the second quarter with the score sitting at 51-34 for Canada at the half. Novell Thomas (Richmond, BC) led half time scoring with eight points. Richard Anderson (Ottawa, ON) and Steve Ross (Victoria, BC) followed with 7 points each.
Early in the third quarter, Algeria dug in on the defensive end and cut Canada's lead to 10. With 5:30 remaining in the quarter, Canadian Head Coach Jay Triano substituted all five players. The bench, behind the scoring of Steve Ross, regained a solid lead with the third quarter score ending at 71-50 for Canada. The game was never in doubt in the fourth as the reserves continued to extend the margin.
Ross led all scorers with 21 points, followed by Prosper Karangwa (Montreal, QC) with 15. Andrew Kwiatkowski (Cambridge, ON), Novell Thomas, and Richard Anderson all contributed 12 points each. Amine Benramdane led Algeria in scoring with 14 points.
Canada dominated the boards out rebounding Algeria 38-22. Anderson led Canada with 9 boards, followed by Kwiatkowski, Ross and Meeks with 5 each. Canada shot 53% from the field and connected on 25 of 33 free throws. Algeria shot 44% from the field and made only 7 of 28 shots from behind the three-point arc. Canada registered 25 assists and tallied 16 steals with Novell Thomas pocketing five.
"This was a game that I was very concerned about because Algeria has many athletic players," said Jay Triano. "Steve Ross came in and shot the ball very well, and our second unit played solid defense. Overall, I am happy with our progress and the team is looking forward to our semifinal game tomorrow."
Canada will play the winner of today's Brazil-Turkey match-up on Saturday.
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CANADIAN SENIOR MEN DROP SECOND GAME AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA
(Toronto, ON - August 1, 2002) - The Canadian senior men's team lost 90-79 today against Yugoslavia in the second game of the Efes Pilsen pre-World Championship tournament in Istanbul, Turkey.
Canada got off to a slow start falling behind 23-14 in the first quarter. Yugoslavia used the inside scoring of Dejan Tomasevic who garnered 16 first half points to take a 6 point halftime lead. Prosper Karangwa (Montreal, QC) went on an 18-point offensive outburst in the first half which kept Canada close. Mike Meeks (Brampton, ON) and Andrew Kwiatkowski (Cambridge, ON) followed with 10 points and 9 points respectively.
Yugoslavia finished the first half on an 11-7 run over the last 2:40 of the second quarter. Canada hampered itself by shooting just 5-11 from the free throw line in the first half. Canada, down 44-50 at the half tried to increase defensive pressure but Yugoslavia utilized its veteran experience to build the lead to 13 points late in the third quarter with the score sitting at 72-61 for Yugoslavia after the third.
Karangwa was the leading scorer of the game with 22 points followed by Kwiatkowski with 21 and Meeks with 14. Leading scorers for Yugoslavia included Dejan Tomasevic, Predrag Stojakovic and Marko Jaric with 21, 15 and 12 respectively.
Canada forced Yugoslavia into 22 turnovers while Canada committed 15. Yugoslavia shot 8-14 from behind the arc with Canada trailing 8-20. Yugoslavia out rebounded Canada 28-24. Canada shot 42% form the field against Yugoslavia's 61%.
"We lost to a very good and experienced international team (Yugoslavia) today." said Jay Triano, Head Coach of the Canadian men's team. "Our effort was tremendous, but we suffered a few mental lapses on the defensive end in the third quarter when they built a double digit lead. Offensively our execution was solid as we showed good patience. Yugoslavia is one of the best teams in the world."
Earlier today China defeated Brazil 97-62 and Bulgaria won over Algeria 81-67, both in their second games of the tournament.
Canada plays Algeria on Friday, August 2, 2002 in their third game of the tournament.
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CANADIANS DEFEAT TURKEY IN FIRST ROUND GAME
(Toronto, Ontario - July 31, 2002) Today in Istanbul, Turkey, the Canadian national senior men's basketball team defeated Bulgaria, 97-72, in the opening game of the Efes Pilsen Istanbul World Cup.
The senior squad is competing in this exhibition tournament as part of their preparation for the 2002 World Championship of Basketball for Men to be held in Indiana in August.
Canada jumped out to a quick lead and was ahead 30-21 after the first quarter. Canada bumped the difference to 17 after the first two minutes of the second quarter, 38-21. Steve Ross (Victoria, BC) had the hot-hand in the first half of the game scoring 13 points in eight minutes off the bench.
Canada went into the locker room after the first 20 minutes with a 59-29 lead. Prosper Karangwa (Montreal, QC) scored 11 points in the first half and David Thomas (Brampton, ON) followed with 10.
The lead waffled in the second half between 19 and 34 points.
Mike Meeks (Brampton, ON) led all scorers with 21 points and eight rebounds. Karangwa finished with 18 points and Ross with 17 points. Richard Anderson (Ottawa, ON) and David Thomas both pulled down seven boards.
Canada shot 55% from the field (59% in the first half), including 9-17 from three-point range. Bulgaria shot 42%. Canada out-rebounded Bulgaria 39-31.
"We got off to a very positive start and probably executed our offence as good as we have since coming together," said Jay Triano, head coach of the Canadian squad. "I feel it is a real positive in a tournament like this, that we were able to play all of our 10 players significant minutes and each contributed. We hope to continue to improve as the tournament moves forward."
In earlier action today, Brazil defeated Angola 77-72 in overtime.
Canada takes on Yugoslavia on Thursday, August 1, 2002.
