Jamaica lose to Uruguay in FIBA Championships

Caracas (Venezuela), Sep 1 (IANS): Jamaica suffered a second consecutive defeat in the FIBA Americas Basketball Championships with a 66-68 loss to Uruguay.

Having lost 64-85 to Canada in its opening campaign Friday, victory eluded the Jamaicans in the dying moments of the Group A encounter Saturday, reports CMC.

It was a better showing from the Caribbean team as they were tied with Uruguay at the end of the first quarter (17-17), but fell short by three points at the half as Uruguay led 34-31.

Jamaica blew a seven-point third quarter lead but managed to stay ahead of their opponents 50-48 at the end of the period.

Adrian Uter missed a crucial free throw attempt with a minute remaining in the game but Durand Scott converted twice from the line with 45 seconds on the clock.

Jamaica tied the score 66-66 with 15 seconds as Samardo Samuels also made successful free throws.

But victory slipped away from the Jamaicans as Uruguay’s Esteban Batista tipped the ball into the basket from a missed shot from Leandro Garcia with 2.3 seconds remaining.

Akeem Scott missed Jamaica’s final attempt in their push for a win.

For Jamaica, Samuels scored 19 points and six rebounds, Akeem Scott (18 points and two rebounds and Weyinmi Rose (15 points and four rebounds) while Esteban Batista led the scoring for Uruguay with 22 points and 14 rebounds.