Serbia Drops Universiade Basketball Tourney

Miroslav Raduljica scored 16 points and added eight rebounds as Serbia defeated Canada 99-73 Monday in the last game leading up to the 2009 Summer Universiade men's basketball event.

Canada finished the four-team tuneup tournament 0-3 after losses to the United States and Russia.

Christian Upshaw led Canada with 14 points while Josh Whyte had 12.

"We knew playing three games in three days against this high calibre was going to be a real mental battle," said Canadian head coach Chris O'Rourke, who returns for his second tour of duty with the Universiade squad.

"We got real frustrated in the first half with the number of times they were going to the foul line. We didn't execute, and when you play a very good team like that they're going to make you pay for it."

The Serbian team used its significant size advantage to dominate the glass on the night, out-rebounding Canada by a 42-19 margin and putting the red and white in early foul trouble.

Serbia scored 29 points in each of the first and third quarters, including a 15-point outburst in the first three minutes following half time. The host side shot a sparkling 32-for-36 from the free-throw line after drawing 18 shooting fouls.

Serbia finished the four-team event with a perfect 3-0 record, with the U.S. following at 2-1. The American squad got past Russia 67-63 in the early game Monday night.

The Canadians begin their quest on Thursday to return to the podium after a bronze medal at the 2007 Universiade in Bangkok, Thailand. Their first game is against Italy.

With two days before their next competition, Canada will recharge and refocus on the tough test facing them in the Universiade tournament.

"We need some time to watch more film and practice and get some physical and mental rest," said O'Rourke. "There's not much time and we have a lot of fine tuning still to do.

"There's no time to dwell, that's for sure. We won't be able to see (Italy) play, so again it becomes about focusing on us and what we have to do."

Following the contest against Italy, Canada will also play China in Group C action at the Universiade tournament. The top two teams from the group phase will move on to the second round.

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