The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas senior men’s national basketball team continues its struggles against Team Canada and the regional powerhouse dominated in the first window of the FIBA World Cup 2023 Qualifiers.

The Bahamas suffered a 115-73 loss to Canada last night in the first game of a back-to-back in Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic. Dominick Bridgewater led the Bahamas with 13 points, David Nesbitt scored 12, Mychel Thompson scored 11 and JR Cadot finished with nine. Game two is set for 4pm today local time.

“It was a competitive game, we didn’t play to our full potential but you took your hats off to Canada, they played well, they barely missed. We have a short turnaround but we have to shape up on some stuff to come back a lot stronger,” Bridgewater said.

“Our transition defence has to be better. Canada gets out in transition to look for shots and they are making them. So, we have to get back, match the ball, rebound better and play harder next game.”

Kyle Wiltjer led four Canadians in double figures with 23 points, Aaron Best scored 21, Kenny Cherry scored 18, Kyle Alexander added 12 points and 12 rebounds and Phill Scrubb finished with 11 assists.

Canada outrebounded The Bahamas 47-32, outscored them 31-16 on fastbreak opportunities and outshot them 16-8 from three-point range.

“It was an ok effort. We turned the ball over way too much, we were outrebounded and those were two key stats that really decided the game,” head coach Moses Johnson said. “Their size was a factor, especially on second-chance points. We were not able to secure the boards, we had some unforced turnovers that led to easy scoring baskets and the game got out of hand. Hats off to Canda you can tell those guys had time together to prepare for this window. We will sort out those miscues and be back better and stronger tomorrow.”

Team Bahamas was drawn into Group C alongside Canada, The Dominican Republic and The US Virgin Islands. In the second window, The Bahamas is slated to face The USVI on February 24, 2022, and The Dominican Republic on February 27, 2022.

In the third and final window, Bahamas will have its 2nd matchup against The USVI on July 1, 2022, and will conclude with the 2nd matchup against The Dominican Republic on July 4, 2022.

In the 2nd window, The Bahamas face The USVI on February 24, 2022, and The Dominican Republic on February 27, 2022.

In the third and final window, The Bahamas will have its second matchup against The USVI on July 1, 2022, and will conclude with the second matchup against The Dominican Republic on July 4, 2022.