Head coach Roy Rana went with the same starting five as the opener.

JMNT Starting 5 vs Dominican Republic: Chris Egi, Tristan Etienne, Montaque Gill-Caeser, Corey Johnson, Munis Tutu.

Dillon Brooks off the bench and Rana gave Corey Johnson the start. Rana’s decision backfired for the second straight game as this time Dominican jumped out to a 9-2 early lead.

Down 9-2, the insertion of Dillon Brooks led to a 12-4 run. Canada was up 19-16 after 1 Quarter. Dillon Brooks? 10p/3r/2s ALL off the bench in the first frame!

Get over your tactical ego coach Rana, Dillon Brooks has no business coming off the bench.

In the second quarter Canada’s bench continued to flex it’s muscles. Montaque Gill-Caeser and Drew Urquhart dropped 5 points each in the frame. Play of the game came in the second after a missed Ben Miller three ball Drew Urquhart put back the rebound emphatically. At the half Canada led by 9 (36-27) behind some smothering defense that saw DR convert only 6 baskets the entire half.

Second half was the Montague Gill-Caeser show. The silent assassin poured in 17 points of his 23 total on the afternoon. Showing off his full arsenal that he’s crafted in West Virginia.

Urquhart continued his break out game knocking down buckets (finished with 10) and at the end of three Canada led 51-43.

For the final frame DR attempted their final comeback run but Canada continued it’s strong bench scoring and stifling defense. Final
Score from Colorado Springs, Canada 79 DR 67.

Player Performances

Gill-Caeser 23p/4r shot 7-for-13.

Dillon Brooks 15p/4r on 6-for-9 shooting.

Drew Urquhart 11p/5r on 4-for-4 shooting.

Corey Johnson 27 mins, 3-for-13 FG’s, 2-for-9 3PT FG’s, 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals

Point Guard Play

Munis Tutu 7 mins, 2 pts, 1 ast, 2 TO.

Nevell Provo 22 mins, 7 pts, 3 rebs, 2 ast, 0 TO.

Ben Miller 28 mins, 3 pts, 4ast, 3 rebs, 5 TO.

Moving Forward

With a 2-0 record (victories versus Brazil & DR) the Canadian squad will aim to go undefeated in group play with their Puerto Rico tilt Sunday.

With a win tomorrow over Puerto Rico, Canada’s U18 team will finish 1st in pool play and qualify for the 2015 World Championships next summer in Greece.

Mission almost accomplished!