By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
MANILA, Philippines – Dillon Brooks with 39 points and Shai Gigleous-Alexander with 31 led the charge as Canada got the bronze medal in the FIBA World Cup after an epic 127-118 overtime game against the USA.
RJ Barret added 23 points for the winners and sealed the deal with a three, getting a 124-115 lead for his team.
Anthony Edwards with 24 points was the top scorer of the US, Austin Reaves added 23 and Mikal Bridges who sent the game to overtime with an improbable play scored 19.
They were not enough, while USA’s Jaren Jackson Jr., Paolo Banchero, and Brandon Ingram due to illness missed the game which ended up being historic for the winning side. This is the first ever medal of Canada in a FIBA World Cup and also their first intercontinental achievement after getting the silver medal in the Olympic Games of 1936.
A crazy ending
Gilgeous-Alexander made the score 109-107 in the closing minute of regulation, Edwards missed and Dillon Brooks got the rebound and also got fouled.
With two free throws and 20 seconds left, he gave Canada a four-point cushion (111-107). With the game on the line, Reaves missed, but Bridges got the rebounds and got fouled with four seconds left.
He made the first foul shot, lost the second on purpose, got the rebound, and with an amazing three-pointer tied the game at 111. Kelly Olynyk with 0.6 seconds left had the chance for a last shot, missed it and we got overtime.
However, Canada started the extra time with a 9-3 run (120-114) and that proved to be enough.
A comeback for the ages
After trailing for most of the game, USA tied the score at 94 with seven minutes left after a three by Tyrese Haliburton, who completed a 10-0 run.
Canada took back a 100-98 lead with four minutes left, forcing the USA to a timeout and setting the stage for a big finish.
It was a totally unexpected turn of events after Canada started the game strong leading 34-25 in the first quarter with Brooks scoring 21 points on 5/5 threes in the first half, with Canada still leading by two (58-56).
Canada stayed in control and led by nine (91-82) at the start of the fourth quarter and after that, the real game started.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA