Bennedict Mathurin and Canada came up short in the FIBA U19 World Cup semifinals, falling to Team USA 92-86.
Mathurin had one of his better games of the tournament, scoring 19 points along with five rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes. He shot 7-17 from the field including 3-5 from 3-point range but was hindered by foul trouble down the stretch. He posted a team-low -12.
Beautiful off-hand transition pass from Ryan Nembhard to Bennedict Mathurin who finishes the dunk through contact! pic.twitter.com/Rpo4NZWisK
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) July 10, 2021
#USA 71 – #Canada 68 | 7:40, 4Q
Big offensive rebound by Zach Edey + tough Bennedict Mathurin (16p/5r/2a, 2/4 3PT) triple.#FIBAU19 #FIBA #TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/1j1WZ7hZc5
— BasketballBuzz.ca (@basketballbuzz) July 10, 2021
Canada will compete in the third-place game Sunday against the loser of France/Serbia. The game time is set for 6 a.m. PT on ESPN+.
Michigan’s Caleb Houstan and Arizona’s Ben Mathurin were both terrific today for Canada in Latvia. Both looked like all-conference caliber players in 21-22. Incredibly impressed with Mathurin.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 10, 2021
n a classification game, Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis and Lithuania defeated Argentina 107-81. Tubelis had nine points, seven rebounds, and a tournament-high six assists in 28 minutes. He also recorded three blocks.
Lithuania will face Spain Sunday at 6 a.m. PT in the fifth-place game.
Incoming freshman Oumar Ballo and Mali competed in another classification game, topping Japan 104-66. Ballo posted 18 points and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes for his second consecutive double-double and third of the tournament. Ballo also had four assists, one steal and one block.
Mali will play Puerto Rico in the 13th place game Sunday at 2 a.m. PT.
How they have fared so far…
- Tubelis (Lithuania): 27.5 MPG, 16 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.7 SPG, 1 BPG, 2.8 TPG, 45.8 FG%, 3-9 3PT, 15-23 FT
- Mathurin (Canada): 27.2 MPG, 13.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.8 APG, 2.2 TPG, 43.1 FG%, 40 3PT%, 76.2 FT%
- Ballo (Mali): 30 MPG, 12.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG. 2.7 BPG, 3.3 APG. 1 SPG, 50 FG%, 5-15 FT
All three are starters.