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| Tremont Waters exploded for 37 points to lead Puerto Rico. FIBA |
QUEZON CITY--Tremont Waters' explosion turned out to be enough to escape a monster game from Karl-Anthony Towns as Puerto Rico dealt the Dominican Republic its first loss in the FIBA World Cup with a 102-97 squeaker at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday night.
However, it was Waters' teammates who helped win it for Puerto Rico.
George Conditt swatted away Victor Liz's layup attempt, and Waters played the facilitator by finding John Holland open for the go-ahead three for a 98-95 lead with 31 seconds remaining.
Towns tried to tie the game for the Dominican Republic, but he missed his own three-point attempt and Waters made two free throws to up the lead to five, 100-95, with 20 seconds left.
Jean Montero scored on a quick layup to bring the lead back to three with 15 seconds remaining, but Jordan Howard iced the game with two free throws at the other end.
Montero and Liz missed three-pointers in the next play that sealed the Dominican Republic's fate.
Waters finished with 37 points, seven rebounds, 11 assists, and four steals to lead Puerto Rico, while Conditt added 18 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.
Towns finished with 39 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, and two blocks, while Andres Feliz added 22 points on 7-of-8 field goals including a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc, five rebounds, eight assists, and two steals for the Dominican Republic.
With the outcome, coupled with Italy's come-from-behind win against Serbia, all the teams in Group I are now 3-1, and the Sunday night doubleheader will decide who stays in the Philippines for the quarterfinals.
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