SAMARDO Samuels powered Jamaica to a narrow 76-74 win over Mexico to book a semi-final spot at the Centrobasket Championships being held at the Jose Miguel Agrelot Colosseum in Puerto Rico yesterday.

The Cleveland Cavaliers power forward, who played for 31 minutes 33 seconds, had a remarkable field goal percentage of 88.9 after scoring 23 points and 15 rebounds.

He was eight from nine in the field and seven from 11 from the free throw line (63.6 per cent).

Patrick Ewing Jr (13 points, 8 rebounds) and Dylan Howell Ennis (13 points, four rebounds) helped Jamaica reach the semis for the first time where they are likely to play hosts Puerto Rico tomorrow.

A Jerome Jordan hook shot at 9:31 in the first quarter opened Jamaica’s account 2-0, signalling the start of the contest.

The North Americans charged to 10-2 at 7:18 before Jamaica led 17-10. The first quarter ended 19-18 in favour of the Sam Vincent-coached team.

Jamaica dominated the second quarter, outscoring the Mexicans, 20-9, and led 39-27 at half-time.

Mexico, however, were no pushovers. Both teams added 15 points apiece in the third quarter, so the Jamaicans stayed comfortably ahead going in the final quarter, 54-42.

A three-pointer and a two-pointer from Mexico’s 30-year-old point guard Omar Quintero and another three-pointer from Orlando Mendez lifted the Spanish speakers to within six points, 56-50, at 8:02 left in the game.

Samuels and Akeem Scott pushed Jamaica to 61-50 at 7:07, with the hope that the Caribbean island would keep their momentum.

The final three minutes was heart-stopping.

Mexican veteran Victor Mariscal Mata hit a three-pointer at 2:14 to close the gap, 67-64. Samuels sank two free-throws at 1:51 at 68-64.

Gustavo Ayon made it 68-66 before Samuels answered the call for Jamaica to lead 70-66 with 50 seconds remaining.

Mariscal Mata soon delivered with two seconds left to tie the match at 74-74. But Weyinmi Rose’s lay-up maintained a two-point advantage.