SEGOVIA, Spain (July 24, 2024) - The Canadian Senior Women’s National Team wrapped up their pre-Olympics exhibition schedule with a 68-48 loss to No. 4 ranked Spain on Wednesday.

One day after defeating No. 3 ranked Australia 77-74, Canada struggled to find its footing against a Spanish team that began to build a lead in the second quarter behind a strong performance from Megan Gustafson and didn’t let up in the second half.

Gustafson finished with 17 points and nine rebounds while Queralt Casas led all scorers with a game-high 20 points in the victory.

Canada was led by 10 points from Kayla Alexander as well as an eight-point 14-rebound effort from Aaliyah Edwards in the loss.

Despite Canada jumping out to a quick start, with a bucket from Alexander to open the game and then a three-pointer from Shay Colley, Spain quickly tied the game at five points apiece. A three from Bridget Carleton gave Canada an 8-5 advantage, but Spain came back to take a four-point lead, 14-10, after the opening 10 minutes of play.

The teams traded misses to start the second quarter, until a three from Kia Nurse brought Canada back within a point, but Gustafson quickly scored inside. For every basket Canada scored, Gustafson was there to respond with one of her own. A long three from Laura Gil extended Spain’s advantage to seven, before a pair of free throws from Colley brought Canada within five with 2:17 remaining in the half.

After a miss from Canada, Gustafson went to work inside, scoring while being fouled. She missed the free throw, but Spain grabbed the offensive rebound and went back inside to Gustafson who scored again. Gustafson scored 10 of her 17 points in the second quarter as Spain built an 11-point advantage, 33-21, at the half.

Canada shot 35 percent from the floor while giving up 46 percent shooting in the loss. The Canadians turned the ball over 20 times, compared to 12 turnovers committed by Spain, and the turnovers hampered any attempt to try to start a run to cut into Spain’s advantage.

Spain opened the third with back-to-back buckets for Maite Cazorla and Gil before Edwards scored Canada’s first points of the half. Gustafson and Edwards traded baskets, but Casas scored inside to give Spain a 44-28 lead as Canada called timeout with five minutes remaining in the third.

Canada upped its energy on both ends of the court out of the timeout. After a steal from Syla Swords, a hard drive to the basket from Sami Hill to force free throws, and then a steal and layup from Cassandre Prosper, Spain decided to talk things over with 2:59 remaining, still leading by 11.

A pair of free throws from Edwards brought Canada within 10, but again it was Gustafson who made a baseline jumper to keep Spain in front by 12 with a minute remaining in the third quarter. A steal and layup from Hill trimmed Spain’s lead to 10 points, 48-38, heading into the fourth.

Spain scored the first two baskets of the fourth to extend their lead to 14 points until Carleton made one of two free throws. Alexander scored inside to get Canada within 13 points, but Canada couldn’t string together enough stops to cut into Spain’s advantage.

Spain’s defence never let up as they continued to force Canada into turnovers while getting to the line on the other end to extend their lead. Spain never trailed in the second half and went on to victory easily from there.

Up next, the Canadians will travel to Lille, France where they will begin their Olympics campaign against host-team France on Monday, July 29.