Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Team Canada To Thrilling Overtime Victory Against Spain In FIBA World Cup Tune-Up

Photo: Instagram/Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

In a captivating preparatory game for the 2023 FIBA World Cup held in Spain, Team Canada emerged triumphant, overcoming the hosts with an 85-80 overtime victory.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stood out as the driving force, amassing 22 points and grabbing eight rebounds during the match. Not far behind, R.J. Barrett contributed 18 points to the Canadian team's success, while Dwight Powell's impressive performance resulted in a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Additionally, Kelly Olynyk showcased his all-around skills, achieving 11 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Spain's Juancho Hernangomez managed to muster 12 points, leading his team's scoring efforts.

Photo: Instagram/Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Usman Garuba followed closely with 10 points, and Victor Claver made a notable contribution of nine points. The intensity of the competition was evident from the outset, with Canada securing a 27-21 advantage in the opening 10 minutes.

However, Spain fought back with determination, establishing a 44-40 lead as the teams headed into halftime. As the game progressed, scoring became more challenging for both sides, resulting in a close score of 55-56 in favor of Spain before the final quarter.

The suspense continued to build, and although the Spanish team appeared poised for victory, Canada managed to level the score in the waning moments. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a golden opportunity to seal the game with a buzzer-beater shot, but unfortunately, his attempt fell short.

The overtime period brought renewed energy and determination for Team Canada. Seizing control of the game, they ultimately secured a well-deserved victory on Spanish soil, marking an impressive feat in the lead-up to the highly anticipated FIBA World Cup.

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Source: EuroHoops