Canada’s Road Warriors go to the wire vs. Lithuania at FIBA worlds

Canada’s SMNT played a hard fought game, leading by as many as 17 points, but a last minute push by Lithuania gave the team the win on day two of the FIBA World Championship (68-70). With the loss Canada moves to 0-2, while Lithuania’s record is 2-0.

The red and white played aggressive and tough, dominating both ends of the court for the majority of the match. Three players scored double digits, lead by team captain and Toronto native Jermaine Anderson who collected 15 points. Starting centre, Joel Anthony (Montreal, Que.) gave another solid performance, contributing 12 points and five rebounds, while veteran player Denham Brown added 11. Levon Kendall was Canada’s top defender on the night with 11 boards.

Overall, Canada’s Road Warriors shot 37 per cent from the field and 65 per cent from the charity stripe.

Lithuania battled hard as well and saved the best for last as they went on a 14-0 scoring run midway through the third quarter and never looked back. A late hustle in the fourth helped seal the win for the European squad. Linas Kleiza was the team’s top performer collecting a double-double with a game-high 18 points and 10 rebounds. Both Tomas Delininkaitis and Martynas Pocius added 11 points. Lithuania shot 36 per cent from the field and 65 per cent from the free throw line.

For the complete box score click here

QUOTES AND NOTES:

Head Coach Leo Rautins – On Canada’s performance v. Lithuania:

We continue to learn every time we step on the floor and we are battling many things this tournament. Our expectation for the Worlds was to get through the pool, and a lot of things have changed due to injury and health, but we don’t plan on giving up and the players are not going to give up.

Head Coach Leo Rautins – On upcoming game v. France:

They are a very good team. We saw them in Toronto with our exhibition games [in mid-August], and I said they would be a much better team in three weeks. They are an athletic and physical team.

Team Canada Captain Jermaine Anderson – On Canada’s performance v. Lithuania:

We played a hard fought game. We prepared really well and played well for almost 40 minutes but unfortunately we fell short in the end.

Team Canada player Aaron Doornekamp – On Canada’s performance v. Lithuania:

We played pretty hard, defended how we wanted to and rebounded hard. We missed some shots so it came down to the wire and we couldn’t finish.

On what to chance for upcoming game v. France:

I don’t think we have to change a lot. We just have to avoid the ups and downs and stay more level. We have to continue to have confidence in our ability and in what we are doing.

On expectations of the French team:

France is on a high after beating Spain and Lebanon so they will be very confident. They are a different team here than at the exhibition games at Air Canada Centre. We will need to continue to play good defense and offense, and put ourselves in a good position to win.

Head Coach Kestutis Kemzura – On the game v. Canada:

I am happy with the final score and win. It was a very difficult and very tough game and not a good day for us with so many missed shot opportunities. I credit the Canadian team coaching staff and players as they prepared tactically for this match. Canada played well. My guys showed character and team spirit in the fourth quarter to get the lead and finish the game. If we didn’t get the final ball we wouldn’t have won.

Head Coach Kestutis Kemzura – On Joel Anthony:

He is one of the best scorers on the court for Canada, but less of a factor in the second half. Defensively he was a big factor, blocking shots and not allowing us to score.

UPCOMING GAME:

The third match for Canada’s Road Warriors at the 2010 FIBA World Championship will be Tuesday, August 31, 2010 (6:30 p.m. local time – 11:30 a.m. ET) against Team France. Catch all of the action live on TSN2.

Fans can also log on to the internet at www.fibatv.com. Daily game reports will be posted on Canada basketball’s website at www.basketball.ca. For more information, including standings, participating countries, box scores and team leaders, visit the official tournament website located at www.turkey2010.fiba.com