It’s six wins in six tries for Canada in FIBA Americas World Cup qualifying.
Led by back-to-back reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, playing in his hometown, Canada stayed perfect with a 116-78 win over Jamaica on Monday night in Hamilton.
Canada led by 17 points in both the first and second intervals, then ballooned its lead to 32 points ahead of a final frame that would see the visitors outscored by another six points.
Three nights after Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 26 points in Canada’s win over Puerto Rico, he put in a more well-rounded effort with 16 points, five assists, four boards and four steals.
Canada’s win wraps up a dominant first round of qualifying, as it finished atop the group at 6-0 and with a point differential of +133 — 151 points higher than second-place Bahamas’ minus-18-point difference.
It will now turn its attention to the second and final round of FIBA Americas World Cup qualifying, which will begin Aug. 27, with the top-three finishers qualifying for next summer’s FIBA World Cup in Qatar.
