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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Gonzaga’s Mark Few, U.S. defeated by Canada in Pan Am semifinals

TORONTO – Andrew Nicholson scored 31 points and had 10 rebounds, former No.  1 NBA Draft pick Anthony Bennett added 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and host Canada powered past the United States and head coach Mark Few 111-108 in overtime on Friday for a spot in the Pan American Games gold medal game.

Nicholson, a 6-foot-9 forward who plays with the Orlando Magic, and Bennett, 6-8 and the top pick in the 2013 draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, helped Canada dominate the paint to the tune of a 50-29 rebounding edge over the U.S.

Bobby Brown led the Americans with 25 points. Anthony Randolph added 21 points.

The U.S. faced a five-point deficit at halftime but shot 71 percent in the third quarter to take a six-point lead. However, poor shooting – including 1 for 11 from 3 – in the fourth opened the door for Canada to send it to overtime.

In OT, consecutive 3-pointers by Canada’s Jamal Murry, who finished with 22 points, put the hosts in control in the final minute.The U.S. will face the Dominican Republic, which lost to Brazil 68-62 in the first seimfinal, at 8 a.m. today for the bronze medal.