Barrett in on exhibition win

Mississauga's Rowan Barrett scored 16 points yesterday to help the Canadian men's basketball squad to a 91-86 exhibition-game victory over Germany.
The game was the first of two to be played this week in Germany between the two teams, who are preparing for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which begins Monday in Athens.
Canada and Germany play again tomorrow.
Barrett, 35, who saw 25 minutes of game action, also chipped in with five rebounds for the victors.
One-time NBA most valuable player Dirk Nowitzki, who plays for the Dallas Mavericks when not suiting up for his native Germany, netted a game-high 33 points.
“It was a solid team effort,” said Canadian head coach Leo Rautins. “We came out aggressively and, literally, everyone who played contributed with big plays down the stretch. The guys showed a tremendous amount of character.”
In Athens, Canada opens with a game against Slovenia on Tuesday, followed by Korea on Wednesday.
Canada needs at least one win in those two games to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
onlinenews@mississauga.news