Dunnmount, Oshawa’s Fisher spark Canada over Japan in 7th-place game at FIBA U19 World Cup

And just like that, Canada’s medal dreams at the FIBA U19 World Cup were done after a 97-73 quarter-final thrashing at the hands of Turkey.

It was over rather quickly, as Turkey doubled up the Canadians in the first quarter and were up 28 at the half to cruise to a semi-final date with world #2 Spain, who would be crowned world champions Sunday after trouncing Turkey 83-51 and then France, in an all-European final, 73-69 in overtime.

Turkey would use the motivation from the semi-final loss to Spain to upset the top ranked Americans handily, 84-70, in the bronze medal game – their first ever win against the USA.

Canada, meanwhile, would lose their second in a row in Saturday’s placement game against Argentina, 106-101, before beating Japan 107-58 Sunday to finish seventh in the tournament.

Jordann Dunmont led all scorers in the Japan game with 21 and added nine rebounds as well.

Xaivian Lee had a strong tournament for Canada, leading the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game. Michael Nwoko of Milton had led the squad in points through most of the tournament but played just 7:41 against Turkey and was not on the game day roster for Canada’s final two games (coach’s decision).

Elijah Fisher of Oshawa also had a strong tournament and finished second to Lee in the ‘Efficiency’ category with an 88 score. Lee scored a 90.0. Zacharie Perrin of France topped the category, a composite basketball stat derived from points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, turnovers, and shot attempts, with 176.0.