It’s six wins in six tries for Canada in FIBA Americas World Cup qualifying.
Led by back-to-back reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, playing in his hometown, Canada stayed perfect with a 116-78 win over Jamaica on Monday night in Hamilton.
Canada led by 17 points in both the first and second intervals, then ballooned its lead to 32 points ahead of a final frame that would see the visitors outscored by another six points.
Three nights after Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 26 points in Canada’s win over Puerto Rico, he put in a more well-rounded effort with 16 points, five assists, four boards and four steals.
Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, playing with his brother Ryan for the first time since childhood, added 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. The NBA’s preeminent villain, Dillon Brooks, paced all Canadian scorers with 20.
Canada's win wraps up a dominant first round of qualifying, as it finished atop the group at 6-0 and with a point differential of +133 — 151 points higher than second-place Bahamas' minus-18-point difference.
It will now turn its attention to the second and final round of FIBA Americas World Cup qualifying, which will begin Aug. 27, with the top-three finishers qualifying for next summer’s FIBA World Cup in Qatar.
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