Kayla Alexander scored a team-high 16 factors and hauled in seven rebounds as Canada’s senior girls’s nationwide basketball workforce opened the FIBA Olympic pre-qualifying event with a 72-57 win over Senegal on Monday.
Syla Swords and Delaney Gibb each chipped in with 13 factors for Canada.
“I believe it’s an excellent begin for us. You at all times wish to begin with a win,” stated Canadian head coach Nell Fortner. “I believed we performed actually powerful and did an excellent job on the boards. We all know Senegal is a really, excellent rebounding workforce and hard to maintain off the boards, so it’s good to win that battle.
“It’s simply good to get that first win beneath our belt.”
Canada’s work on the glass was significantly evident on the offensive finish, the place the Canadians held a 15-8 benefit. Tara Wallack collected 4 offensive rebounds on her personal to assist Canada generate extra possessions.
Swords helped Canada take management early, connecting on three three-pointers within the opening quarter. The Canadians led by as many as 17 factors and remained in entrance all through, however Senegal made its push halfway by way of the third.
Canada held a 26-14 benefit in factors within the paint, taking pictures 52.5 per cent from that space. Factors off turnovers had been even at 11, whereas Senegal held a slim 31-29 edge in bench scoring.
Canada may have a time off Tuesday earlier than dealing with the Philippines on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
