Image courtesy of FIBA Americas

The Cadette Women’s National Team (CWNT) has wrapped-up the qualifying round of the FIBA Americas U16 Championship for Women with an 89-40 victory over host-nation Mexico. With the win, Canada finished first in Group B and has earned a trip to the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women.

Team Canada set the tone early with back-to-back three-pointers from Bridget Carleton and Jaelyne Kirkpatrick to begin the game. The long-ball was a theme the team would often return to in the match. A supportive home crowd would keep Mexico’s spirits high, but Canada finished the game’s first 10 minutes holding an 18-10 advantage.

The CWNT made the extra pass and found the open shot to break the game open in the second. Co-captain Carleton led the way with 11 points in the frame, including three baskets from long-range. Canada shared the ball well and collected seven assists on the team’s eight second-quarter baskets to go ahead 42-17 at the half. Lauren Yearwood and Eternati Willock each recorded eight points in the third frame, while a stretch of seven straight points from Tamara Farquhar, of Cote St-Luc, Quebec, propelled Canada to a 32-point period. The lively crowd inspired Mexico to 11 fourth-quarter points, but the Red and White countered with 15 to end the match.

While the team’s offensive numbers were impressive – 48 per cent from the field, 42 per cent from three-point range, 19-of-23 from the free-throw line – Canada played well in its own end and forced 20 turnovers from Team Mexico. Carleton finished with a game-high 16 points with 12 coming from three-pointers. Willock led with seven rebounds, while collecting 14 points on the strength of a 10-of-12 performance from the line. Canada’s even attack saw five players score in double-digits. The game’s statistics can be viewed here.

Carleton liked Canada's overall team-effort on the night. "We came out strong from the beginning of the game. Everyone contributed to the win and it was a good victory going into the playoffs." Head coach Carly Clarke echoed the Chatham, Ont. native’s sentiments saying, “we came out focused and ready to play. We had great energy playing against the home country in front of a great crowd. I'm really pleased with our effort and our execution. We’re all looking forward to the semi-final versus brazil tomorrow.”

Canada will face Brazil, who finished second to the United States in Group A, at 5:00 p.m. (ET) on Saturday. The game will be available live online at fibaamericas.com.

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