Canada’s student women’s team lost 72-58 in a quarter-final match against Australia. The team will now re-group and focus on a highest possible finish of fifth place at the 2013 FISU Summer Universiade.

Australia looked dangerous from the start and hurried out to a quick 9-0 lead. Four straight points from Korissa Williams brought Canada into the match, but the Australian side kept-up its attack. Australia’s Katie Ebzery scored eight points in the period’s two final minutes and Canada found itself behind 23-15. Canada played a more even second matching Australia on both ends of the court and notching 12 points, allowing 14.

The seasoned Australian side came-out well in the second half and continued to pressure the Canadians. A blanketing defensive effort held Canada to seven points in the quarter, while Australia posted 18 to extend its lead to 55-34. Australia opened the final frame with a 10-3 run, but Canada found its offence and battled back. The Canadians would complete the contest with a 21-7 stretch, but the game was beyond their reach.

Williams, an Amherstburg, Ont. native, finished with a team-high 10 points, while tying Dalyce Emmerson and Taijah Campbell for a team-high of five rebounds. Lindsay Ledingham finished with nine points in the contest. Miah-Marie Langlois also tallied nine, while adding four rebounds, three steals and a game-high six assists. The match’s full set of statistics can be viewed here.

When asked about her team’s performance, Langlois answered, "We had spurts of great moments against a very good Australian team tonight, but we could not string together consecutive moments. We have to come out strong right from the beginning of the next match with the same intensity that we have displayed at the end of the last two games. When our team gives it their all every minute, we can beat any team in this tournament."

Head coach Fabian McKenzie credited the Australian side and knows Canada must now look ahead to the next game. “We played a top world-level team and unfortunately again tonight placed ourselves in a hole. We fought back, but they are a very experienced team. They move the ball well and play tough on defence – that took us out of rhythm. We must now re-focus and fight for a fifth-place finish.”

Team Canada will face Sweden in a Rank 5-8 semifinal on Saturday at 5:00 a.m. (ET). Sweden owns a 2-2 record following a 103-72 quarter-final loss to the United States.

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