Canada will play the United States for bronze on Sunday, following a tough AmeriCup semifinal battle with Brazil on Saturday.
Despite closing the deficit to three points late in the fourth quarter on Saturday, the Canadian men couldn’t pull even with the hosts and eventually lost 86-76. Earlier in the day, the United States lost 82-73 to Argentina in the other semifinal.
Jahvon Henry-Blair paced Canada’s offence with 24 points, including 4-of-5 three-point attempts. Dalano Banton had 12 points, while Abu Kigab chipped in with 10 points and Lloyd Pandi had nine.
Brazil was led by Leonardo Meindl with 19 points, while Lucas Dias had 14. Vitor Benite and Lucas Mariano each scored 13 points for the hosts.
Brazil led 44-34 at the half and 67-54 after three quarters.
Brazil has beaten Canada in 12 of their previous 17 meetings. Canada was looking to get over the semifinals hump of the AmeriCup, reaching this stage for the eighth time but only advancing to the final one-time in 1999.
