HEADLINE

- Canada qualified for the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup after beating Mexico 71-44 in Saturday night’s quarter-final at the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship 2023 in Yucatán, Mexico.

HOW IT HAPPENED

- The undefeated Canadians faced the winless Mexicans in the tournament's last of four quarter-finals. Canada quickly dominated the game gaining a 9-1 lead at the first timeout, where Sarah Reid had seven of the team’s nine points. 

- Canada grew a double-digit lead at 3:40 from a three-pointer by Jayda Queely. She hit another three with 42 seconds left in the quarter to give Canada a 14-point lead. Canada finished the quarter with a 20-8 lead. 

- Deniya Prawl started the second quarter strong for Canada, with five quick points before Cearah Parchment took over, contributing nine points in Canada’s 39-18 lead over Mexico at halftime. 

- While Canada had the 21-point lead at halftime, Mexico’s defence was swarming them at times, and the team looked like a different version of themselves compared to their first three games of play.

- Canada regained their composure in the third, and Parchment continued her steady offence, making Canada’s first field goal of the quarter at 8:41. Jordyn Wheeler quickly contributed five points to give Canada a 47-24 lead and force a Mexico timeout.

- However, Canada was held scoreless in the three minutes coming out of the timeout until Savannah Swords made a jump shot. They finished the quarter leading 60-32.

- With 5:30 left in the fourth, Parchment made a layup that grew Canada’s lead to 30 points, sealing the win and punching the team's ticket to Sunday night's semifinal at the FIBA U16 Women's Americas.

CANADA HIGHLIGHTS

- Parchment played an all-around game for Canada, grabbing a double-double. She finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, one assist and four steals.

- Reid’s quick start to the game saw the guard make a layup as soon as she was subbed in. Following her two made free throws, she stole the ball and made the three-pointer with 7:08 in the first. 

- With 1:24 left in the third quarter, Prawl stole the ball and converted the layup. Just a few seconds later, she stole the ball again and made another layup. She finished with 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and nine steals.  

HISTORY FILE

- Canada remains undefeated against Mexico since the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship began in 2009. 

- Prawl’s nine steals are the most single-game steals by any Canadian in the history of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship.

NEXT UP

- Canada will face Puerto Rico in the semifinals on Sunday as they look to advance to the gold medal game. Canada is currently undefeated against Puerto Rico in the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship, with the most recent win against Puerto Rico coming via a 102-50 in 2021. 

- Tip-off is scheduled for 10 pm ET / 7:00 pm PT and fans can stream the game live on the FIBA YouTube Channel.