2011 FIBA Americas Championship: Al Horford's 22 Points Lead The Dominican Republic By Brazil

The Dominican Republic runs its record to 3-1 in group play with a 79-74 victory over Brazil on Friday. Atlanta's Al Horford scored a game-high 22 points to lead four players in double figures for the Dominicans. Brazil drops to 2-1 in group play and in a tie with Canada who they play on Saturday. 

Brazil is playing without big names Leandro Barbosa, Nene, and Anderson Varejao in the FIBA Americas Championship but does have the services of San Antonio Spurs big man Tiago Splitter. Splitter logged a double double against the Dominican Republic on Friday with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Marcus Vieira led all Brazilian scorers with 18 points and Marcelo Huertas netted 16 in the loss.

Horford finished with 22 points, five rebounds, and three assists for the Dominican Republic. Francisco Garcia had his most productive game of the tournament finishing with 14 points on 5 of 8 shooting. Luis Flores finished with 10 while Jack Michael Martinez once again logged a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Dominican Republic is off on Sunday as group play wraps up. The top four teams from each group advance to the second round where the final top four teams advance on to the knockout round.

Group A Standings Entering Play Saturday

Dominican Republics Preliminary Round Results