Team Canada is in the quarterfinals of the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Tenerife, Spain. On Tuesday, Canada finished Group A action with a perfect record of three wins and zero losses with a 71-60 win over France. The win also meant that Team Canada finished in first place in their group and did not have to play a qualification round game.
Kia Nurse of Hamilton, Ontario led the Canadian team in the win over France with 18 points. Two other Canadian players reached double digits in scoring. Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe of Toronto, Ontario had 13 points and Shay Colley of Brampton, Ontario had 12 points. Raincock-Ekunwe and Natalie Achonwa of Toronto, Ontario each led Canada with 10 rebounds, while Nurse led Canada with six assists.
It was also a great comeback for Canada in their 11 point win over France. The Canadians trailed France 25-12 after the first quarter before regrouping to win each of the next three quarters including outscoring France 26-14 in the fourth quarter.
Team Canada next plays on Friday against either Spain or Senegal. Spain has a record of two wins and one loss, while Senegal is at one win and two losses. Other teams that received a bye to the quarterfinals were Australia, Belgium and the United States. Australia’s quarterfinal opponent will be China, who beat Japan 87-81 in the qualification round. Other qualification round matchups on Wednesday have France playing Turkey and Nigeria playing Greece.
