SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO (September 24, 2019) – Team Canada are now 3-0 after defeating the host nation Puerto Rico 78-50 at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2019 on Tuesday evening.
Click here for the box score.
Both Kayla Alexander and Jamie Scott were just shy of double-doubles in the victory. Scott had a game-high 20 points and nine rebounds while Alexander was right behind her with 19 points and nine rebounds. Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe recorded nine points of her own and Sami Hill had a game-high nine assists. Puerto Rico was led by Pamela Rosado who recorded 11 points in the loss.
Canada came out firing to start the first quarter with a 9-0 run. After getting points on the board, Puerto Rico attempted to chip away at the lead, but Canada worked harder to increase it. Closing the quarter with two good free throws form Raincock-Ekunwe, Canada ended the first quarter up 24-12.
In the second quarter, Canada struggled to find the rhythm they had in the first, only outscoring Puerto Rico 12-10. Though despite having 13 turnovers in the opening half, Canada carried a 36-22 advantage into halftime.
Finding their stride again, Canada came out hot in the third quarter with Raincock-Ekunwe making the opening basket. Using their size and skill, Canada not only dominated the board but made 6 out of 6 free throws in the third. By the end of the quarter, Scott had recorded her game-high 20 points and had a perfect free throw percentage. Canada closed out the quarter with an 8-0 run leading Puerto Rico 59-34 going into the fourth.
Canada continued to remain dominant throughout the fourth quarter defeating Puerto Rico by 28 points in their 15th straight win in the continental championship. Canada’s last loss in the Americas Championship was in the finals in 2013.
Entering the tournament as two-time defending FIBA AmeriCup champions, Canada has found a spot on the podium in seven of the last eight competitions dating back to the 2003 FIBA Americas Championship for Women in Culiacan, Mexico.
The FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2019 begins with a Group Phase, where teams play round-robin format for four days. The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals of the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2019, where the top team of Group A will play the second team of Group B and the top team of Group B will play the second team of Group A. The winners of the semifinals will go-on to play for the continental title on September 29. Click here for the competition schedule.
As part of the Women’s National Team Competition System, the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2019 will qualify the top 8 teams to the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournaments in November.
The FIBA Women’s Pre-Qualifying Tournaments in Americas will qualify the top four teams for the four global FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2020, taking place in February 2020. Canada will qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with a top three finish in their group in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2020.
Click here for roster.
UP NEXT
Team Canada will take a day off before they face the Dominican Republic to close out the group phase on Thursday, September 26 at 5:30 PM ET. Fans in Canada can catch the game streaming live on DAZN.
QUOTES
“Having played [Puerto Rico] a lot in the past, we were familiar with their style of play and had a lot of confidence coming into the game. It’s always a blessing to play basketball especially with this group of girls. We have fun and we like to get after it and compete. There’s nothing more I’d rather do.”– Jamie Scott
“I think we have a good balance. I think we’re scoring inside and we’ve been shooting well from the three-point line. We’re just trying to play with pace. We have a lot of talent at all of our positions, so we’re just taking advantage of that as best we can.” – Lisa Thomaidis
SOURCE: Canada Basketball
photo from https://tsn.ca
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