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Canada Punches Ticket to FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2025 with AmeriCup Quarterfinal Win
BUCARAMANGA, Colombia (June 21, 2024) - Canada’s U18 Women’s National Team qualified for the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2025 with a gutsy 66-58 win over Mexico in the FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup final earlier today.
Canada started the game with the same energy they’ve had all week, beginning on a 10-2 run.
For Mexico, they made it close when Johanna Flores, who finished with 10 points on 5-6 shooting, hit a three to put them within three.
Divine Tumba, a consistent presence for Canada all week, grabbed an offensive rebound and made a tough layup to give Canada some space at 16-11. After Mexico responded, Tumba made two consecutive and-one baskets and a bucket in transition to provide Canada with the 24-14 lead.
However, at the end of the first quarter, Mexico would hit a buzzer-beater three to finish the first ten minutes at 24-17.
From there, the game was close, remaining a one-possession game for most of the second quarter. At halftime, Canada was up by five points.
Mexico rallied to gain a one-point lead over Canada in the second half. A big three by Taliyah Henderson put Canada back up 45-41. Henderson finished with a team-high 17 points and nine rebounds, making eight of her ten free throws.
Going into the fourth quarter, Canada regained a 53-47 lead. A big bucket by Mexico’s leading scorer, Ana Zesati, put Mexico within six points with a few minutes to go.
Jasmine Bascoe hit several clutch threes down the stretch to keep Canada in front, including one of the last shots of the game at 64-55. Bascoe finished the game with 16 points, going 37.5 from three.
Mexico would hit a late bank shot three, but it wasn’t enough as Canada came away with the 66-58 win. With the win, Canada will finish in the top four at the AmeriCup, solidifying their appearance in the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2025.
Their next game will be on Saturday, June 22, at 9:10 pm ET / 6:10 pm PT in the semifinals of the tournament. Canada will face the winner of Brazil vs. Colombia, who play their quarterfinal game later tonight.
Canada already faced Colombia in group play this week, beating them 86-38 on June 18.
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