Canada completed the sweep of Brazil in the Edmonton Grads International Classic, winning 68-63.

A crowd of almost 1,800 at the Saville Community Sports Centre was treated to a great start from Team Canada as they shot out to a 12-5 lead at the five-minute mark of the first quarter and would push the lead to 10 with a 19-9 spread that would force Brazil to take an early timeout. Canada would continue to take the play to Brazil and hold 27-14 advantage as the first quarter ended.

A slower pace and a renewed defensive effort from Team Brazil saw the Team Canada lead dwindle to six with two minutes to go in the second. Kia Nurse nailed a three to push the Red and White lead back to nine. Miah-Marie Langlois then completed an incredible sequence, stealing the ball, breaking down the Brazil defence and kicking to the corner for Lizanne Murphy who pocketed a huge three as the first half came to a close to put Canada up 39-27.

Michelle Plouffe went coast to coast with a beautiful left hand finish to open the second half scoring followed by Kim Gaucher with a smooth and-one reverse layup and a deep three to put Canada up 16 four minutes into the half. Foul trouble would plague Team Brazil, but they still managed to cut the Canada lead to 12 at the end of the third.

Brazil continued to battle hard cutting even deeper into the Canada lead, and with a pair of Clarissa Santos free throws the visitors only trailed by 3, but a big three-point play from Miranda Ayim stopped the Brazil run. Team Canada was able to ride the support of the loud and proud home crowd to a 68-63 win.

Player of the game for Team Brazil with 18 points and 12 rebounds – Clarissa Santos.

Player of the game for Team Canada with 11 points and eight rebounds – Tamara Tatham.

Ceci est disponible en français sur notre site web et sur demande auprès de communications@basketball.ca.

‍