Marchand Cup, Canada and Puerto Rico win

Day 2 of the 2015 Marchand Continental Cup organized by FIBA Americas saw Canada and Puerto Rico collect victories, both nations remaining undefeated after two contests. The Canadians got the better of Brazil to leave their opponents winless after two games, Puerto Rico edged Dominican Republic after a high scoring encounter.

Brazil vs. Canada, 64-80
Canada knocked down Brazil at the bi-annual Marchand Continental Cup even though go to guy Andrew Wiggins was quiet after leading the country to victory in game one. Other players stepped up as the Canadians put it together in the paint and dominated the glass by grabbing 43 rebounds to Brazil’s 24 boards. The winners also drained 9 from 20 triple attempts, while Brazil struggled with only 4 connections for 17 tries.

Canada asserted its strengths early and opened a decent lead through the first quarter, heading to the first split with an 11-18 advantage. In the second frame the Maple Leafs extended by posting another 18 points to make it 27-36 through the halftime layoff. Canada maintained the momentum with a 17-23 run in the third act that put the game beyond Brazil, the scoreboard reading 44-59. In the fourth Canada made it easy by tying up the game and ensuring victory through every period of the game.

Dwight Powell connected for 18 points and 8 rebounds to lead the winning effort, while Anthony Bennett was good for 16 points. Brady Heslip was close behind with a contribution of 15 points.

Augusto Lima paced Brazil with 17 points, followed by Vitor Benite with 13 points and Joao Paulo Batista with 11 points.

Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic, 96-91
Puerto Rico stayed unblemished in the early stages of the 2015 Marchand Cup with a fine win over the Dominican Republic. Both countries found their scoring touch and it was a close game throughout, with victory coming for Puerto Rico after a huge fourth act comeback.

The game started in subdued fashion as both sets of players felt each other out, but through the first period Puerto Rico carved a slender 14-15 lead. The Dominican Republic worked into the game and looked the slicker team in the second term, using a 23-19 run to make it 37-34 through the long break. The scoring picked up in the third quarter as both teams hit the nets frequently, with the Dominicans managing to maintain their lead with a 28-27 run that made it 65-61 through three quarters. In the fourth act Puerto Rico exploded and plundered 36 points to turn the scoreboard around and claim a big win.

Angel Daniel Vassallo set the big scoring rhythm in the second half and collected a game high 25 points overall for the winners, while also adding 7 rebounds. Elias Ayuso was next with 16 points, while Carlos Rivera was good for 14 points.

James Feldeine topped the losing effort with 14 points, while Edgar Sosa, Edward Santana, and Orlando Sanchez all claimed 13 points apiece.