Tremont Waters drops 37 as Puerto Rico escapes Dominicans, spoils Towns' 39

Tremont Waters detonated for a double-double outing to steer Puerto Rico to a stunning 102-97 victory against erstwhile undefeated Dominican Republic in the 2023 FIBA World Cup second round on Friday.

Waters poured a team-high 37 points alongside 11 assists, seven rebounds, and four steals as the Los Magnificos improved to 3-1 while the Dominicans absorbed their first defeat to drop to 3-1 as well.

The loss spoiled a 39-point outing from Karl-Anthony Towns, who also grabbed 10 boards and one dime.

It looked like the game was going the Dominicans' way as Andres Feliz buried a triple that sent them to an 84-76 cushion early in the fourth. But Jordan Howard's own triple capped off a 10-0 run from Puerto Rico to take the lead, 86-84.

Waters' soared for a layup above the defense of Towns for another knotted ballgame at 95-all before John Holland knocked down one from deep, 98-95.

The 25-year-old Waters then sank both his freebies for a 100-95 lead with 20 seconds left as Howard sealed the win with two charities of his own.

Puerto Rico will look to replicate the victory when it takes on Italy on Sunday before the match between Dominican Republic and Serbia later in the day.

Earlier, Italy dealt Serbia its first loss to improve its quarterfinal chances.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News