FIBA Americas Championship: Canada lose to Dominican Republic 81-74, setting up crucial game Sunday

Andrew Nicholson's high-scoring performance was not enough to save Canada's senior men's basketball team from a 81-74 defeat to the Dominican Republic at the FIBA Americas Championship in Caracas, Venezuela.

Nicholson poured in 29 points on 12/19 shooting in the loss. Tristan Thompson had 14 points, Cory Joseph scored 13, and Brady Heslip chipped in with 12 off the bench.

Canada's defence let them down, as they allowed to the Dominican Republic to shoot 57% from the field including 9/18 from three.

The loss dealt a major blow to Canada in their efforts to qualify for next summer's FIBA World Cup. A win is imperative in Sunday's game against Argentina (1:30 Eastern p.m./10:30 a.m. Pacific, SN 360) and it still might not be enough to ensure a semifinals berth as Canada needs other results to go their way to crack the top four.

"Argentina’s a very good team, that’s our last chance, to play well tomorrow. We’ll play it as best we can," said head coach Jay Triano.