2013 FIBA Americas results: Canada, Dominican Republic roll to open second …

The FIBA Americas second-round of round robin play tipped off Thursday after a break in play Wednesday. Eight of the 16 remaining teams were in action Thursday, with the other eight scheduled to play Friday. Cory Joseph's summer of strong play for Canada continued with a 17-point game, while the Dominican Republic's defensive effort stifled Jamaica.

Here are the results of the four opening games of the second round:

Dominican Republic 78, Jamaica 60 - James Feldeine led the Dominican Republic with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, and Houston Rockets reserve Francisco Garcia played 23 minutes and scored just six points in the Dominican Republic's 78-60 blowout of Jamaica.

Jamaica could never recover after scoring two points in the first four minutes of the second quarter while the Dominican squad reeled off 16 during that span to take a 35-13 lead.

Former Miami Hurricane swingman Durand Scott scored 14 points for Jamaica, while teammate Akeem Scott led the squad with 21 points. NBA journeyman Samardo Samuels added nine points, but no other Jamaican player scored more than five points, as the Dominican Republic's defense held the Jamaicans to 33 percent shooting for the game.

Not skipping steps

Spurs guard Cory Joseph is blossoming for the Canadian national team

Canada 89, Mexico 67 - Atlanta Hawks center Gustavo Ayon scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Mexico, but his team didn't have the answers to stop Canada's explosive backcourt in an 89-67 second-round loss on Thursday.

Point guard Cory Joseph continued his excellent summer with a 17-point, eight-rebound, six-assist performance. He wasn't the only Canadian to score in a big way. Former Syracuse guard Andy Rautins added 19 points and Baylor Bears gunner Brady Heslip scored 21 points by hitting 5-of-8 three-point opportunities.

Also for Canada, Orlando Magic big man Andrew Nicholson scored 13 points, Miami Heat big man Joel Anthony added four, and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson scored seven points and grabbed 12 rebounds -- though Thompson continued his shooting woes, going 3-for-12 from the floor.

Puerto Rico 94, Argentina 80 - Former NBA journeyman Renaldo Balkman scored a game-high 23 points, leading Puerto Rico to a 94-80 victory over Argentina. Balkman currently plays on the Brujos de Guayama in Puerto Rico's professional basketball league, the BSN.

Indiana Pacers power forward Luis Scola matched Balkman's game-high 23 points while also pulling down eight rebounds and setting up his teammates with six assists, but his solid all-around game wasn't enough to lead Argentina to victory.

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard J.J. Barea scored 13 points and had five rebounds with four assists. Long-time international player Carlos Arroyo scored 19 points, going 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, and also had five assists.

Venezuela 70, Uruguay 64 - Venezuela held off a fourth-quarter run from Uruguay and picked up a victory in the second round of round robin play. Rafael Perez led Venezuela with 14 points in 21 minutes off the bench.

Nicolas Mazzarino had a hot hand from beyond the arc and made six of his eight three-point attempts on his way to a game-high 18 points for Uruguay, but was one of only two players to break double digits on his team. Uruguay shot 40 percent from the field, scored 26 points total through the first half, had only seven assists as a team and had 16 turnovers.