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    Murray-less Canada stuns reigning World Cup champ Spain in tuneup

    SGA, Barrett assert might in OT win over world No. 1 side
    Aug 18, 2023
    Canada
    Canada escapes with a statement 85-80 OT win over World Cup champ Spain in tuneup.
    PHOTO: Canada Basketball

    CANADA completed a late-game stunner in overtime to defeat world No. 1 and reigning World Cup winner Spain, 85-80, just one week before the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup.

    This marks the senior men's squad's first win over Spain in 23 years.

    READ: Jamal Murray out of Canada squad for World Cup

    Just days since Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray confirmed his roster exclusion, Canada came out swinging with its NBA-laden frontline at the helm.

    Oklahoma City's ace winger Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fired a game-high 22 points on eight rebounds and three assists, on top of clutch overtime buckets from New York young gun RJ Barrett with 18 markers on 54.5% shooting.

    Dallas big man Dwight Powell tallied a double-double spree of 12 markers and 12 boards, with Utah veteran Kelly Olynyk adding 11 points, six assists, five rebounds and three blocks.

    Canada

    Shortly after a heroic charge led by Barrett, Canada head coach Jordi Fernández heaped praise on one of his squad's fast-rising stars.

    “So far, [RJ's] made my life so easy. I don't have to call much for him. Here and there I do give him a play, but he just finds everything within the offense and that’s extremely valuable. I’m very happy with RJ and his performance so far," Fernández said.

    The Knicks guard, however, acknowledged the high level of play they had to put out against the world's top-ranked team.

    “[Spain is] a really well-coached team. They played extremely hard. It was a good test for us. Another great team win. They’re [ranked] No. 1 in the world for a reason. It felt good to come in here and get a win," Barrett said.

    Reigning EuroBasket Finals MVP Juancho Hernangomez paced a shock defeat for the Spaniards with 12 markers as Usman Garuba pitched in 10 points and eight rebounds.

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      Canada launches its World Cup bid in Group H against defending bronze medalist France (Aug. 25).

      Meanwhile, Spain's title-retention bid begins a day later in Indonesia when they take on Cote d'Ivoire (Aug. 26).

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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      Canada escapes with a statement 85-80 OT win over World Cup champ Spain in tuneup.
      PHOTO: Canada Basketball
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