SYDNEY, Australia (Sept. 29, 2022) - Canada takes on Puerto Rico today in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Women's World Cup.

‍

Canada (4-1) vs. Puerto Rico (2-3)

When: Thursday, Sept. 29, 12:30 a.m. ET
Where: Sydney Superdome

Things to know heading into Thursday’s quarterfinal matchup against Puerto Rico:

Heading into the quarterfinals on a high note: Canada closed out group play with a dominant 88-65 victory over Mali where they led wire-to-wire. Bridget Carleton had 27 points in the win, making 7-for-8 three-pointers in 25 minutes while Kayla Alexander finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Carleton averaged a team-best 14.8 points per game in group play while Alexander averaged 10.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game, second to only Mali’s Sika Kone (11.8) while also leading the team in efficiency at 20.0 (fourth-best in the tournament). The two veterans have helped lead a Canadian team that is blending veteran and first-time players in the tournament. In Tuesday’s victory against Mali, Taya Hanson and Mael Gilles each made their Senior Women’s National Team Debut, while Phillipina Kyei played in her second game with the Senior Women’s squad.

Second spot: Canada finished second in Group B after five games played in the group phase of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022. Though both Canada and Australia finished with a 4-1 record, Canada finished second based on head-to-head records after Australia defeated Canada 75-72 in Canada’s lone loss in group play. Only the United States finished group play with a better record, going 5-0 in Group A.

Next up: After drawing Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals, Canada will be tasked with the unenviable challenge of trying to slow Arella Guirantes. Though Puerto Rico finished 2-3 in group play and fourth in Group A, Guirantes has been all but unstoppable, leading Puerto Rico across the board. Guirantes is tied with A'ja Wilson of the United States for top scoring honours, averaging 18.0 points per game through her first five games in Sydney. Her 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists are also team highs. Her stellar play – in her World Cup debut – has Puerto Rico in its first ever quarterfinals in the event after the team recorded its first-ever World Cup victory when they defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 82-58 in their first game of group play where Guirantes flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. In the team’s 92-73 victory over Korea to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals, Mya Hollingshed led the way with 29 points and 12 rebounds while Guirantes added 18 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Extra assists

Direct knockout: Now that teams have advanced to the quarterfinals, each game moving forward is a direct knockout. Following Wednesday’s rest day, the winning teams that advance in Thursday’s quarterfinals will play in the semifinals on Friday, Sept. 30 and then the gold medal game as well as the third-place game on Saturday, Oct. 1.  

‍

What we’re here for: The team that is crowned FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 champions will earn a direct ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics. FIBA World Ranking Presented by Nike points will also be earned by every team playing in the competition.

Where to watch: Fans in Canada can catch all of the Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 action live from Australia on Sportsnet.

‍