Kayla Alexander led Canada’s senior women’s national basketball team with 16 points and seven rebounds in their victorious start at the FIBA Olympic pre-qualifying tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico. Syla Swords and Delaney Gibb also contributed with 13 points each for the Canadian squad.
Head coach Nell Fortner expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting their toughness and dominance on the boards against a strong rebounding Senegal team. Canada’s offensive rebounding prowess, including Tara Wallack’s four offensive rebounds, played a crucial role in creating extra scoring opportunities.
Swords made an early impact with three three-pointers in the first quarter, helping Canada establish a significant lead that they maintained throughout the game despite Senegal’s resurgence in the third quarter. Canada excelled in points in the paint, shooting 52.5% from that area and holding a 26-14 advantage. Both teams scored 11 points off turnovers, while Senegal narrowly outscored Canada’s bench 31-29.
After a rest day, Canada will face the Philippines on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET in their next tournament match.
