Nathan Yu and the Canadian men's basketball team need one more win at the 26th Summer Universiade to advance to the quarterfinal playoffs.
Despite a 63-61 loss Wednesday to Australia, which dropped Canada's record to 2-1 in the tournament in Shenzhen, China, the Canadians still have a chance to finish first in Pool B. For that to happen, they will have to beat Hong Kong (0-3) today and have Turkey (1-2) pull off an upset over the Australians (2-1).
If Australia wins today, assuming Canada defeats Hong Kong, Serbia would finish first and Canada would claim second. That would set up a playoff game Saturday for Canada against Germany (4-0).
Yu, Canada's starting point guard and a fifth-year member of the UBC Thunderbirds, was limited to eight points, six rebounds and two assists in 30:32 of playing time in Wednesday's game. The former Duchess Park Condor from Prince George narrowed the gap to two points when he hit both of his free throws in the final minute. Canada had a chance to tie the game with 10 seconds left after a steal but Kyle Desmarais missed his breakaway lay-up.
Tyson Hinz led Canada with 22 points, while Michael Lieffers collected 13. Cameron Gliddon was the high-point shooter for Australia with 19.
