Canada falls to Argentina in FIBA men's AmeriCup semifinals, will play U.S. for bronze

Despite an impressive tournament, Canada will have to be content playing for a bronze medal at the FIBA men's AmeriCup basketball championship in Managua, Nicaragua.

The Canadian crew took an unbeaten record into Saturday's semifinal against Argentina, and came up on the wrong end of an 83-73 decision. The loss means Canada will face the United States — which was beaten 92-77 by Brazil in the other semifinal — on Sunday.

Argentina, which finished second behind the Dominican Republic in Group C, outscored Canada 24-9 in the opening quarter and never looked back. Canada, which won Group B with a 3-0 record, trailed 46-29 at halftime and 68-45 heading into the final quarter.

Jose Vildoza had 26 points and six assists to lead Argentina. Gonzalo Corbalan had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the winners, while Juan Fernandez chipped in with 11 points and five rebounds.

Marcus Carr had 16 points and four assists for Canada, while Trae Bell-Haynes had 15 points and Mfiondu Kabengele had 14 points and eight rebounds.

Argentina outrebounded Canada (38-37) and had more assists (22-12).

Canada, which actually shot better from two-point range than Argentina (53.66 per cent to 53.12), scored more points from the bench (29-22), had more points in the paint (38-32) and more points on turnovers (13-10), but couldn't overcome the poor start.

"You have to find ways to win when you don't play well," said Canadian head coach Nathaniel Mitchell. "That didn't happen today — that was a really good Argentina team."

Carr said Canada's struggles on the glass limited their defensive pressure as well.

"If we're not making shots and not getting offensive rebounds, then we can't set up our defensive pressure the way we'd like," Carr said. "Argentina did a really good job defending their own glass. We didn't get many second-chance opportunities, and that put us at a disadvantage."

Despite forcing 14 turnovers and committing only seven, Canada connected on just 16.7 per cent from beyond the arc.

Argentina was better from three-point range (42.86 per cent to 16.67).

In the U.S. game, the Americans took a 68-58 lead into the fourth quarter, but Brazil outscored them 34-9 in the final frame.

Brazil will play Argentina for the championship on Sunday, after the U.S.-Canada third-place matchup.