CARACAS, Venezuela — Less than a minute remained and with the scores tied at 76-76, Jamaica’s point guard Akeem Scott went to the free throw line after being fouled and he successfully hit both shots to send Brazil packing from the FIBA Americas Championship on Tuesday night.

Scott, who was celebrating his 31st birthday on the match day, told the Jamaica Observer he was grateful to coach Sam Vincent for giving him the responsibility of handling possession in the final moments in Poliedro de Caracas.

“I thought I worked hard. I did what the team needed at the end and came through with the free throws. Coach trusted me with the ball at the end of the game, so I thank him for trusting me, and I’m glad we came through with the win,” an elated Scott said after scoring nine points and grabbing five rebounds.

Team leader Samardo Samuels, who bagged 11 points in the final quarter to end with a game-high tally of 21 from 5/10 shooting, also sank crucial free throws down the stretch to keep the Jamaicans in the game. He was 11/12 at the foul line and also pulled in eight rebounds.

Weyinmi Rose had 7/14 shooting for 16 points, while Durand Scott was 6/13 for his tally of 14. Big centre Jerome Jordan scored nine points with 50 per cent accuracy to go with seven boards against the Brazilians, who were not at full strength at the Championship.

Despite massive power outages across the city that postponed the Canada-Uruguay clash, the Jamaica-Brazil encounter went on as scheduled and the usually slow-starting JamRockerZ pounced into an 18-15 lead at the end of the opening quarter. It was Jamaica’s first opening period advantage of the tournament.

Jamaica, guided by the energetic Durand Scott and the calming presence of Rose, maintained the three-point lead (39-36) at the half-time break.

Brazil bounced back and led 59-53 at the end of the third quarter, as Vincent’s team was unable to contain the opponents’ jump-shooting, while allowing aggressive offensive rebounding that gave up second shots.

Gaining the backing of the neutral spectators, Jamaica courageously fought back early in the fourth quarter and tied at 59-59 with over eight minutes remaining in the compelling do-or-die battle.

Moments after Bob Marley’s We Jammin was played on the sound system in the arena during a timeout, and with the teams tied on 76 points, Akeem Scott was fouled.

Since Brazil were in the penalty he went to the line and completed the heroics amidst cheers of approval around the sparsely populated venue.

Brazil got possession with five seconds remaining, but they missed their shot and the virtually ever-present Akeem Scott safely retrieved the rebound.

Finally the Jamaicans had held their nerve in a pressure situation late in a match at this Championship.

They took fourth spot in Group A behind group winners Puerto Rico, Canada and Uruguay.

In Group B, the 2011 Americas champions Argentina, Mexico, hosts Venezuela and Dominican Republic advanced to the second round. Paraguay were eliminated.