HAMBURG (FIBA U17 World Championship) – Anthony Bennett posted game-highs of 29 points and 14 boards to lead Canada past China 102-96 in the a highly-entertaining quarter-final at the inaugural FIBA U17 World Championship in Hamburg.
Kevin Pangos got his Canadian team-mates involved early on as they went up 13-8 midway through the first quarter after Negus Webster-Chan buried two three-pointers.
Bennett, who sat out two games due to injury, then took over and showed he could play inside and out, hitting two long bombs and going for a dunk in between as they stretched their lead to 24-13.
Pangos had to go to the bench after picking up his third foul early in the second period, but his team didn’t unravel and instead bumped their lead to 46-32 before China made a late run and cut the deficit to 50-42 after Xiaochuan Zhai buried a three-pointer in the first half’s dying seconds.
And he hit again in the third quarter to get his team within 56-52. China committed a few turnovers that allowed Canada to pull away again as they headed into the final frame up by 11, 81-70.
The Chinese would make another run and were within 98-94 on Zirui Whang’s basket with 1:11 left to play.
But Bennett got a timely offensive rebound for a putback and Canada closed the game out from the free-throw line.
Quotes
Bin Fan, China head coach: “I want to congratulate team Canada for their win and their progression to the semi-final. It was a wonderful game – high level basketball. We were not prepared well enough for this contest.“
Roy Rana, Canada head coach: “We played against a great Chinese team. Now we have a chance to play for a medal, that was our aim. I don't usually single out players because it's a team game but if it wasn't for Anthony Bennett I don't think we would be in the final four. Benett had a monster game.“
Guo Ailun, China number 7: "It is a big pity that we could not win this game. We didn't do well at the beginning but we tried to pull ourselves back towards the end of the game".
Anthony Bennett, Canada number 7: "When I went to the doctor's they said that I wouldn't be able to play again in the tournament. So I was kind of mad..."
FIBA / JB