JAKARTA, Indonesia — Canada has never won a medal at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. France was favoured to collect another one this year.
One game in and the conversation for both teams has changed.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 27 points and 13 rebounds and Canada rode a dominant second half to upset world No. 5 France 95-65 in the opening game for both Group H teams at Indonesia Arena.
Canada took a three-point lead into halftime before blowing the game wide open with a 25-8 third quarter. France, which had never lost to Canada in World Cup competition, was outscored 52-25 in the second half by an opponent that looks equipped to compete with the world powers.