Bermuda's men's national basketball team failed to make an impact at the recently completed Caribbean Basketball Championships (CBC) in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, going winless as they pushed for a spot at next year's World Championships.

The tournament, which was also acting as a qualifier for the 2012 Olympics, is the team's first FIBA sanctioned overseas competition.

Bermuda lost all three matches they played, going down to hosts British Virgin Island in their opening match 85-39 before succumbing to Cuba 95-37, and Antigua and Barbuda in their final match 70-59.

The two teams that advance to the CBC finals and the winner of the bronze medal game of the Caribbean Basketball Championships will advance to the Championships.

Being short-handed due to some of Bermuda's top players competing in the Island Games in Aland, the team gained valuable experience through the tournament, most notably against the Antigua and Barbuda, a game they were always in.

Bermuda shot 1-for-12 in the first quarter, while their opponents jumped out to a 19-6 lead behind top scorer for the night, Marlon Charles.

Akil Smith and John Lee were key for Bermuda as the pair scored consistently in the second quarter to keep the side in the game.

The first half finished 35-28 in favour of Antigua as Charles had 8 points in the half, while Smith (8) and Lee (7) led the Island's charges.

The squad cut the gap to just three points, 46-43, after a three-pointer by Adam Correia made it close.

However, Antigua responded with a 9-2 run to finish up 55-45 at the end of the third.

In the final quarter Bermuda kept closing in and were down by just two points at 61-59 after a basket by John Lee with just a few minutes left.

There was no coming back from that point as Charles netted 18 points and Toray Henry (13) to pace the winners.

Results:

Game 1 - Bermuda (39) vs British Virgin Islands (85)

High Scorer - Akil Smith 12 pts

Top Rebounder - Greg Todd/Mishael Paynter (5),Top Assists - John Lee (3), Top Steals - Aaron Jackson (2)

Top Stat line: John Lee 6 pts 3 reb 3 assts 1 stl

Game 2 - Bermuda (37) vs Cuba (95)

High Scorer - Aaron Jackson 14 pts

Top Rebounder - Dion Bean/John Lee (4), Top Assists - Mike Smith (3), Top Steals - Dion Bean (3)

Top Stat line: John Lee 6 pts 2 stl 4 reb

Game 3 - Bermuda (59) vs Antigua & Barbuda (70)

High Scorer - Akil Smith 16 pts

Top Rebounder - John Lee (10), Top Assists - John Lee (3), Top Steals - Mike Smith (3)

Top Stat line: John Lee 13 pts (2 3ptrs) 10 reb 3 assts 2 stl

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