BELEM, Brazil — Shaedon Sharpe had a game-high 18 points as Canada opened the 2019 FIBA U16 Americas Championship with a 101-86 win over Uruguay on Monday.
Sharpe's points came on an efficient 6-for-8 shooting performance.
DJ Jackson added 13 points. Dylan Kalambay had seven rebounds and Ryan Nembhard finished with eight assists — both game-highs.
Canada used a 9-2 run to open the second to help build a 32-23 lead, and entered halftime with a 45-36 advantage after outscoring Uruguay 17-2 in second chance points through two quarters.
A quick 11-3 run in the third quarter helped extend the lead to 56-39 , and the Canadians cruised to a 38-point win.
Canada is in Group B along with Brazil, Puerto Rico and Uruguay.
The top four teams qualify for the 2020 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Bulgaria.
The Canadian Press
