TORONTO — The Brazil U23 Men’s National Team beat the USA 77-73 to win the gold medal match of the inaugural GLOBL Jam international basketball show at the Mattamy Athletic Center in Toronto on Sunday.
Brazil was led by a 30-point performance, 11 assists from Yago Dos Santos who was named Tournament MVP after the win. Dos Santos shoots 6-for-15 from the floor, 5-for-11 from outside the arc and 13-for-15 from the free throw line as he attempts more free throws (15) than the entire US as a team (7-for- 9 FTAs). Caio Pacheco added 12 points and Marcio Santos added 11 points, a 10 rebound double-double for Brazil.
The US was led by a 13-point performance from Jalen Bridges and 13 points from Keyonte George who nearly equalized with 11 seconds remaining when his three-pointer effort was halfway before bouncing up and out of the ring. Dantwan Grimes and Jordan Turner each added 11 points for the Baylor University team playing the U.S. Team. for the event.
Brazil shot 40 percent in the win, compared to 35 percent for the US in a game very close to 14 changes to the lead and 12 draws. Neither team led by more than six points and both teams battled for points in the top flight in the fourth quarter with the trophy at stake.
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After George’s three-point play equalized to 67 with 5:06 remaining, the US were goalless for four minutes as Dos Santos scored five straight points to put Brazil five ahead before a strong push from the US that featured a three-pointer from Grimes and one Bridges layup to level at 72 with 1:07 remaining.
With 31 seconds remaining, Dos Santos provided Ruan Miranda’s flawless pass for a layup to put Brazil one point ahead. After Grimes made one of two free throws for the USA, Dos Santos grabbed a defensive rebound and was fouled, taking both free throws to put Brazil three ahead. George had two attempts out of three to tie the game at 73 in the last minute, but both missed and Dos Santos sealed victory on the line with five seconds remaining.
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These two teams took him from start to finish, not wanting to give up an inch. The score was tied at 23 points after the opening 10 minutes and Brazil took the lead by four points at half-time.
The US opened the second half with a 10-2 run to take a four-point lead, before Brazil hit three consecutive points to reclaim the lead with 5:32 left in the quarter. After the two teams exchanged baskets to close out the quarter, they went into the fourth quarter with 58 points, setting the battle up to the end.
When the final bell rang and Brazil claimed victory, the entire roster ran onto the pitch to celebrate with their teammates. After the victory, members of the Brazilian team slashed through the Mattamy Athletic Center basketball net and then doused head coach Tiago Splitter with water before loudly singing the national anthem to celebrate.
