By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Canada displayed its firepower in the second half as they bundled out Slovenia, 100-89, in the knockout quarterfinals of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday night, September 6.
From a 50-all score at the half, the Canadians leaned on consecutive scores from RJ Barrett and multiple free throw conversions from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to widen the lead to 77-61.
Slovenia made a run late in the third quarter behind Luka Doncic to cut the deficit to 71-80, but Canada regained its offense early in the fourth quarter to increase the lead to 92-76 after a three-pointer by Dillon Brooks.
The situation turned worse for Slovenia as Doncic was tossed out over six minutes in the game for his second technical foul, which Canada took advantage of to increase its lead to 94-77.
Slovenia made a late run courtesy of three-point hits by Klemen Prepelic to cut the deficit to 89-98, but an inside hit by Kelly Olynyk from an offensive rebound sealed the win for Canada.
Gilgeous-Alexander top-scored for Canada with 31 points to go with 10 rebounds. Barrett chipped in 24 markers and nine boards, Alexander-Walker finished with 14 points, and Brooks also had 14 before being ejected in the fourth quarter for a disqualifying foul.
Doncic led the way for Slovenia with 26 points, including four three-point conversions, along with five assists and four rebounds. Prepelic added 22 markers, while Zoran Dragic ended up with 10 points.
Meanwhile, Franz Wagner made a triumphant return as Germany survived the upset-conscious Latvia, 81-79, in the knockout quarterfinals match. The Germans will face Team USA in the semis.
Sidelined by an ankle injury the past four games, the Orlando Magic forward was a factor for the Germans in their fourth quarter breakaway with his three-pointers, perimeter hits and free throws for a 74-60 lead with over six minutes left.
However, Latvia mounted a huge run behind outside connections and layups from Arthur Zagarz to pull his team to within 79-81. They still had a chance to pull off another upset, but Davis Bertans missed a triple try at the buzzer.
Wagner top-scored for Germany with 16 points, spiced up by three three-point baskets, to go with eight rebounds and three assists, while his elder brother Moritz Wagner produced 12 markers off-the-bench.
CANADA 100 — Gilgeous-Alexander 31, Barrett 24, Brooks 14, Alexander-Walker 14, Dort 8, Olynyk 7, Alexander 2, Powell 0, Ejim 0.
SLOVENIA 89 — Doncic 26, K. Prepelic 22, Dragic 10, Nikolic 8, Tobey 8, Hrovat 7, Cebasek 3, Blazic 3, Dimec 2, B. Prepelic 0.
Quarterscores: 26-24, 50-50, 80-71, 100-89./ASC, WDJ