In his first game with the Dominican Republic’s men’s national basketball team in 10 years, Karl Anthony Towns delivered a standout performance.
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ big man led Los Quisqueyanos to a surprising 94-88 victory over Team Canada in the Torneo Ciudad de Granada in Spain.
Towns scored 20 points, shooting 6-of-9 from the field, while also grabbing six rebounds and dishing out two assists.
Lionel Figueroa also contributed 20 points, going 9-of-14 from the field.
This marks Dominicana’s third tune-up game heading into the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
They had previously suffered losses to Puerto Rico (86-93) during the Rumbo al Mundial and to Latvia (69-74) in Riga.
Angel Delgado added a double-double for the Dominican Republic with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Dominicana is scheduled to play another tune-up game against Spain in Europe tomorrow and against Egypt on August 22 at a location yet to be determined.
Lu Dort led Canada with 13 points while Trae Bell-Haynes added 12. Both Dillon Brooks and RJ Barrett chipped in 10 apiece as well.
Meanwhile, Canada concluded its tune-up series with a 3-2 record.
They suffered a loss to Germany in Berlin (81-86) before securing victories in the Basketball Supercup against New Zealand (107-76) and Germany (113-112, OT).
Canada also pulled off a surprising victory against Spain to kick off the Torneo Ciudad de Granada with a score of 85-80.
Canada will now fly to Okinawa for the World Cup proper.
