TORONTO - Canada's men's basketball team lost their bid to join the women as Pan Am champions when they were defeated 86-71 by Brazil in the gold-medal game.

Canada trailed by 25 points at one point in the third quarter. The team brought some life to Mattamy Athletic Centre when it reduced the deficit to six points, but Brazil calmly withstood the comeback bid and pulled down crucial late rebounds to keep Canada away from the ball.

Canada still earned silver, its best result in Pan Am Games history. Its previous top finish at the Games was fourth in 1983.

"I think I'm too much of a competitor right now to feel good about anything," said Canada head coach Jay Triano. "I don't like losing a game like that. But at the same time I think when we look back and reflect, we grew up throughout this tournament, we also grew up in this game a little bit. We got knocked on our heels but we never quit, we came back and I think the guys really played in the second half."

Anthony Bennett led Canada with 18 points.