The final day of the first window of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers has brought probably the biggest upset in the tournament history as Mexico defeated the United States 97-88 in Gimnasio Manuel Bernardo Aguirre in Chihuahua.
No one could sense what is about to happen as the United States scored 57 points in the first half leading by nine at the break.
Only the Mexican players and coaching staff know what happened in the locker room, but things changed quickly as Mexico won the third period by 31-12 and entered the last period with a 10 point lead. The visitors couldn’t do anything against the hyped Mexicans who came to a historic win.
Mexico scored 17 three-pointers on 48.6% shooting while the United States were only 7-of-21. Mexico had 34 assists compared to 21 of the USA and also had six more steals and nine less turnovers.
The 35-year-old point guard Orlando Mendez was brilliant recording 27 points and six assists, hitting 7-of-11 behind the arc. Gabriel Giron added 19 points and Daniel Amigo and Paul Stoll scored 18 each.
Isaiah Thomas was the top scorer for the United States with 21 points followed by BJ Johnson who finished with 15.
In the other match of Group D, Puerto Rico defeated Cuba 69-60 after being 11 points down at the end of the first quarter.
Since then, Puerto Rico picked up the pace, holding the opponent to only seven points in the third quarter which was the key period in the match.
Both teams had low field goal percentages, Puerto Rico 42.6% while Cuba was at 32.4%.
Power forward Ismael Romero was Puerto Rico’s top scorer with 18 points while Isaac Sosa, Jezreel De Jesus and Jordan Isaiah Howard each added 10.
Yoanki Mensia led Cuba with 16 points followed by Jasiel Rivero with 11.
After the first window, Mexico is on top of the group with two wins, the United States and Puerto Rico are at 1-1 while Cuba has two losses.
In Group C, both duels were re-matches from the night before with the same outcome.
Canada once again blew out past the Bahamas winning 113-77 in Palacio de los Deportes de Torrevieja.
The Canadians won each quarter with the third and fourth by 12 points difference.
Canada had 18 more rebounds than the Bahamas and shot 50.7% from the field compared to 42.4% of their opponent.
Six players scored in double-digits for Canada with Kyle Wiltjer leading the way with 25 points and five rebounds. Kassius Robertson had 15 and Phil Scrubb 13 points.
David Nesbitt was once again the best player for the Bahamas with 18 points while Mychel Thompson and Domnick Bridgewater added 12 points each.
After winning by a 22-point margin the previous night, the Dominican Republic doubled that, winning by 100-56 against the United States Virgin Islands.
The home team controlled the game from the tip-off outscoring the opponent by double-digits in three of the four quarters.
Victor Liz was the top scorer with 23 points while Eloy Vargas added 16 points and 15 rebounds.
Canada and the Dominican Republic are 2-0 with the Canadians having a better point differential. The United States Virgin Islands and the Bahamas are with two losses after the first qualifying window.