HEADLINE

- Canada began the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2023 with a convincing 83-62 win over China on Saturday in Madrid, Spain.

HOW IT HAPPENED

- An early back-and-forth between the two teams saw the lead change six times during the first quarter. 

- However, with less than two minutes left in the first, Canada went on a quick 6-3 run to give them a five-point lead to end the quarter.

- In the opening minutes of the second quarter, China made a three-pointer to bring Canada’s lead to two points. 

- A three from Syla Swords gave Canada a five-point lead, and the Canadians didn’t look back as the team never relinquished the lead. When the dust settled at halftime, Canada led by 11 points, 39-28. 

- Toby Fournier and Jasmine Bascoe made quick jump shots coming out of the halftime break, but Canada couldn’t score in the following two minutes as China got within single digits.

- Canada would have scoring droughts during the third quarter, and China would try to respond by cutting the lead. But the Canadians wouldn’t let China make this a close game, and Canada led 59-46 at the end of the third.

- In the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, China cut Canada’s lead to seven points. Once again, Canada responded with a turnaround jump shot by Swords at 5:44 and grew the lead, never looking back. 

CANADA HIGHLIGHTS

- Fournier was lighting up both the offensive and defensive end of the court, finishing with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds. She credits her coaches and teammates’ support for her performance.

- Delaney Gibb made a three-point shot in the game's final seconds to cap off Canada’s win. She finished with 17 points shooting 45.5 per cent from beyond the arc.

- With four seconds remaining on the shot clock during a play in the fourth quarter, Bascoe put up a wild hail-mary shot that bounced on the rim twice before going in. 

QUOTABLE

- “Overall, good team effort today, lots of contributions from multiple different players, good shooting on the perimeter. I thought we shared the ball well offensively, and defensively we’re growing every game.” - Team Canada head coach Carly Clarke on what she liked from the team.‍

- "The energy from everyone on my team really helped me on the defensive and offensive end. The pride that I have for representing my country gave me that drive to work as hard as I possibly could on the court today.” - Fournier on her double-double performance. 

- “Toby impacted the game the way Toby does. She’s a rim protector, blocking shots, great offensive rebounder, great rebounder at both ends, that with her ability to finish around the rim and draw fouls just makes her such a tough weapon in multiple ways.” - Clarke on Fournier’s game. 

HISTORY FILE

- With this win, Canada has moved 5-5 against China since the tournament started in 1985.

- Fournier’s 14 rebounds are the most ever for a Canadian in the opening game of play of a FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup.

NEXT UP

- Canada will face the Czech Republic on Sunday as they look to gain their second win. The Czech Republic beat Egypt 103-71 in their first game. 

- Tip-off is scheduled for 6:15 am ET / 3:15 am PT and fans can stream the game live on FIBA's YouTube Channel.