Barbados ended their FIBA World Cup Americas Pre-Qualifiers campaign on a high, dismantling Costa Rica 83-56 in their final Group A fixture in Ciudad Obregón, Mexico, on Sunday night.
Despite coming into the tournament ranked 109th in the world—35 places below Costa Rica—Barbados showed grit, composure, and an impressive level of execution to close out the competition with a win.
Led by an inspired performance from Kyrone Alexander, who racked up an electrifying 35 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists —including a tomahawk slam after a drive down the middle—the Bajans bounced back emphatically after losses to Jamaica and host nation Mexico.
Alexander was supported by Carl Thorpe, who also posted a double-double of 16 and ten. Veteran Akeem Marsh added 13 points and Deroni Hurley finished with five points, six assists and four steals.
The men in yellow and blue held Costa Rica to just eight points in the first quarter with a smothering defensive presence, while doubling their tally and boasting a ten-point advantage at half-time, 41-31. The lead exploded to 23, after a points barrage by Barbados in the third quarter, with Alexander working hard in the paint and also shooting well from behind the arc (5 of 9).
Outscoring Costa Rica once again in the fourth quarter, Barbados won every quarter of the matchup to prove that the young side, with a dash of experience, was capable of competing on the highest level.
Playing in Group A, Barbados finished in third and were unable to move forward with a 1-2 record, while the unbeaten home team, Mexico (3-0), along with Jamaica (2-1), advanced to the second leg of the qualifiers. Costa Rica were unable to register a victory despite pushing Jamaica in overtime in their second match.
Alexander, who plays for Boston University in the US, finished as the top scorer in the tournament with an average of 24.3 points and nine rebounds per game, beating out NBA player Norman Powell of the Miami Heat. The young Division 1 baller was also efficient in his scoring with 54.8 FG per cent, 52.6 3FG per cent and 89.5 FT per cent.
Speaking exclusively to Barbados TODAY, Alexander said it was always a great experience representing his country.
“It is always a blessing to have the opportunity to come represent where I am from. Don’t think there will ever be a time when I don’t enjoy the overall experience once I put on the blue and yellow. Win or lose,” he explained, adding that the team played hard to bring home a win for Barbados.
“Unfortunately, we lost the first two games, but I kinda told myself I am going to at least go out swinging. Just had the mindset to be aggressive from the jump and hit Costa Rica with whatever we had left, and overall I think that is what we did as a team,” said Alexander.
Commenting after the game, Barbados national coach Devan Blair said the defensive effort helped lift the team above Costa Rica.
“I thought we played well tonight, and we hit shots, but defensively is where the game was won. Held them to eight in the first quarter and 31 in the first half. Our defensive intensity was good for the whole tournament, but tonight it was on a different level,” said the coach.
Blair also highlighted the explosive game that Alexander had, but was quick to point out that it was a team effort.
“It was a group effort; it was not just one guy. Making the right pass, being in the right spot, offensive rebounds, we had 21, and everyone that came in contributed in a big way.”
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