Edgar Sosa breaks leg in qualifying

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MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina -- Luis Scola of the Houston Rockets scored 22 points and Argentina beat Canada 79-53 on Monday night to remain the only unbeaten team in the second round of the Olympic basketball qualifying tournament for the Americas.

The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Brazil also won on a day marred by a serious injury to former Louisville guard Edgar Sosa of Dominican Republic.

With 37.9 seconds left in Dominican Republic's 92-68 victory over Panama, Sosa broke his right leg and he is expected to be out for at least six months.

Sosa was injured when he fell among a pack of players under the basket. Players from both teams were near tears as they gathered around him following the fall. Both of his lower right leg bones appeared to have snapped, leaving his leg bent at a grotesque angle.

"We are destroyed," team spokesman Leo Lopez said. "He leaves a difficult void to fill, both as a player and as a person."

FIBA, the world governing body of basketball, said Sosa would remain in the hospital for two days following surgery.

Sosa finished with 13 points and eight assists.

"We will have to work mentally to overcome this," Lopez said. "Sosa is a beloved player. It will not be easy for any of us."

Luis Flores, who played at Manhattan, had 17 points for Dominican Republic (3-1), which is coached by Kentucky's John Calipari.

Carlos Delfino of the Milwaukee Bucks added 17 points for Argentina (4-0), while Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs had 16 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Kelly Olynyk led Canada (1-3), which shot 29 percent from the field and committed 22 turnovers, with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Daniel Santiago went 6 of 6 from 3-point range and had 22 points to lead Puerto Rico (3-1) over Venezuela, 94-82.

Vitor Benite scored 21 points to lead Brazil (3-1) to a 93-66 victory over Uruguay.

There are three more games in the quarterfinal round and the top four advance to the semifinals.

The winners of the semifinal games earn berth in the London Olympics. The third through fifth finishers will participate in a tournament that will decide the final spots in London.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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