FINAL STANDINGS
1. United States 
2. China 
3. Australia
4. Canada
5. Belgium
6. Serbia
7. France 
8. Puerto Rico
9. Japan
10. Korea
11. Mali
12. Bosnia and Herzegovina    		CANADIANS
Natalie Achonwa (Guelph, Ont.)
Kayla Alexander (Milton, Ont.)
Laeticia Amihere (Mississauga, Ont.)
Bridget Carleton (Chatham, Ont.)
Shae Colley (Brampton, Ont.)
Nirra Fields (Montreal, Que.)
Mael Gilles (Montreal, Que.)
Taya Hanson (Kelowna, B.C.)
Sami Hill (Toronto, Ont.)
Aislinn Konig (Langley, B.C.)
Phillipina Kyei (Calgary, Alta.)
Kia Nurse (Hamilton, Ont.)
Victor LaPeña – coach
Noelle Quinn – assistant
Steve Baur – assistant
Carly Clarke – assistant  
POOL AUSACHNBELPURKORBHVRecord
United States—–77-6387-72106-42145-69121-59(5-0)
China63-77—–81-5595-60107-4498-51(4-1)
Belgium72-8755-81—–68-6584-6185-55(3-2)
Puerto Rico42-10660-9565-68—–92-7382-58(2-3)
South Korea69-14544-10761-8473-92—–99-66(1-4)
Bosnia-Hercegovina59-12151-9855-8558-8266-99—–(0-5)
        
POOL BAUSCANSERFRAJPNMALRecord
Australia—–75-7269-5457-7071-54118-58(4-1)
Canada72-75—–67-6059-4570-5688-65(4-1)
Serbia54-6960-67—–69-6269-6481-68(3-2)
France70-5745-5962-69—–67-5374-59(3-2)
Japan54-7156-7064-6953-67—–89-56(1-4)
Mali58-11865-8868-8159-7456-89—–(0-5)
        
QFAustralia 86 Belgium 69
QFChina 85 France 71
QFUnited States 88 Serbia 55
QFCanada 79 Puerto Rico 60
SemiChina 61 Australia 59
SemiUnited States 83 Canada 42
BronzeAustralia 95 Canada 65
FinalUnited States 83 China 61
  

        In their opener, Canada clipped Serbia 67-60. Serbia led 16-15 after one quarter by dominating the offensive glass, often generating three or four possessions on each trip up the floor. Nirra Fields notched a trey and a driving layup, while Shay Colley drove for a bucket and Kayla Alexander added a putback as Canada opened the second quarter with a 9-4 run. Bridget Carleton added a trey a that gave Canada a 27-24 lead. Canada closed out the half with a 38-28 lead off a late 11-4 run featuring Laeticia Amihere driving the length of the court for a layup, a Kia Nurse putback, a Kayla Alexander bucket in the paint off a savvy feed for Nurse, a six-foot jumper from Nurse and free throws from Natalie Achonwa and Alexander. Serbia rallied no closer than seven in the second half as Canada’s ball pressure repeatedly forced the Serbs into turnovers. Colley and Fields were able to handle Serbia’s full-court pressure with aplomb, while Canada’s bigs (Alexander, Carleton, Amihere and Achonwa) repeatedly broke free in the blocks. Colley said “I thought we did a good job coming in and finishing the game together. You know, all our hard work over the past month and a half together just really showed off and we knew Serbia was going to come out very hard and aggressive, so just sticking together towards the end with poise and trusting in each other.” Colley added that the team’s composure was key. “I just think that starts with every day in practice. … You know, we play aggressive defence against each other in practice and it just shows. Coach is always on us about being poised no matter if you have the ball down low or are bringing it up the court so I think that going through that through practice really paid off in the game.” Canadian coach Víctor LaPeña said he was “super happy” with the team’s defence. “They don’t give up. They don’t rest on the court. When they rest on the court, it’s because they don’t realize it. As a coach, what more can I ask them. They are working all the time and they trust in my job, in our [coaching staff]. When you play with your best, when you play with the maximum possibilities that you have, good things happen. We are not perfect but we are learning this process. … Even (when) Serbia was working really hard, they are very good team, we were able to make good decisions, to share the ball and to play with calm and I think it was very important for the final result. … We realized some things, but especially one: the team’s belief in themselves. And this is the most important for me, during many times today when Serbia pressed, when Serbia did good jobs to come back to the game, the team was ready to make good decisions in that moment. the game.” LaPeña added that “Kayla Alexander, Euroleague level, many years played in Canada, 32 years old, one of the most important Canadian players in our history. I’m super happy because she’s one of our leaders. Maybe she doesn’t talk too much, [with] her voice, [but] she speaks with her teammates, and everybody is, ‘Kayla talked about it, let’s do it.’ … I’m happy that we scored. That the team made good decisions. It doesn’t matter if we play fast or we play slow, the most important thing for this team is to play with good spacing. To have the people in the right spots. And when we have this and we play fast, the team plays very good. When we don’t have the players in the right spots, it doesn’t matter if we play slow or fast, we don’t play good basketball. Even when we play slow, using the full 24-seconds [of the shot clock],if our players are in the right spots, the basketball is beautiful.” Kayla Alexander paced Canada with 13 on 5-8 from the floor, 3-4 from the line, 7 boards and 2 blocks. Nirra Fields added 12 on 4-9 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 2 boards, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Natalie Achonwa notched 10 on 3-7 from the floor, 4-4 from the line, 8 boards and 2 steals. Kia Nurse scored 9 on 4-7 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 1-1 from the line and 3 assists. Laeticia Amihere added 8 on 4-11 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc and 3 boards. Shay Colley scored 8 on 4-10 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 2 boards and 2 assists. Bridget Carleton added 7 on 2-3 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 5 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals, while Aislinn Konig and Sami Hill were scoreless. Konig dished 2 assists. Mael Gilles, Phillipina Kyei and Taya Hanson did not play. Canada hit 28-64 (.438) overall, 26-55 (.473) from the floor, 2-9 (.222) from the arc and 9-11 (.818) from the line, while garnering 33 boards, including 11 on the offensive glass, 12 assists, 13 fouls, 14 turnvoers, 10 seals and 6 blocks. Yvonne Anderson paced Serbia with 18 on 6-10 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 3-4 from the line, 5 boards and 3 assists. Tina Krajisnik added 17 on 7-12 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 3-4 from the line, 8 boards and 5 steals. Ivana Raca notched 6 on 2-6 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 2 boards. Sasa Cado scored 5 on 1-2 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc and 3 boards. Nevena Jovanovic added 5 on 1-6 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc and 5 boards. Dragana Stankovic scored 4 on 2-2 from the floor, 6 boards and 2 blocks. Kristina Topuzovic added 3 on 1-3 from the floor, 1-2 from the line, 4 boards, 2 assists and 3 steals. Mina Djordjevic scored 2 on 1-1 from the floor, while Jovana Nogic, Maja Skoric, Ivana Katanic and Katarina Zec were scoreless. Serbia (coached by Marina Maljkovic, assisted by Filip Bencic and Ljubica Drljaca) hit 24-64 (.375) overall, 21-47 (.447) from the floor, 3-17 (.176) from the arc and 9-12 from the line, while garnering 43 boards, including 16 on the offensive glass, 12 assists, 19 fouls, 19 turnovers, 7 steals and 7 blocks.

        Canada improved to 2-0 by pounding France 59-45. Canada broke to a 6-0 lead as Kia Nurse drained a 15-foot jumper, Bridget Carleton hit a pair of free throws after being fouled while pilfering the ball and Kayla Alexander hit a pair from the line. France rallied to within 10-9 before notched an and-one off a backdoor cut and Shay Colley hit a pair from the line to give Canada a 15-9 lead after one quarter. France rallied to within 20-17. But Canada closed out the half with a 9-0 run featuring exceptional defence and decision-making from Bridget Carleton. Natalie Achonwa hit a 15-footer and a bucket in the paint, Carleton a trey, and Nirra Fields a driving layup as Canada took a 29-17 lead into the lockers. Canada opened the second half with an 8-0 run, essentially bridging the half with a 17-0 run, including a pair of treys from Colley and a Kayla Alexander bucket off a savvy feed from Colley. Nurse a bucket as Canada took a 39-19 lead. Although France answered with a 6-0 run, Fields took command, hitting a mid-range jumper, driving for a bucket and then pilfering the ball for a runout as Canada built a 45-30 lead after three quarters. With Alexander and Laeticia Amihere working free in the blocks, and Fields driving for layups, Canada coasted to the double-digit win down the stretch. Alexander said ““I think we played really good team basketball today, especially on the defensive end. We were really locked in on the game plan, what the coaches asked of us and I think that defence led us. … As a team, we love having Coach with us,” Alexander said. “He’s full of energy, as you guys could probably tell on the baselines during the games, and I like his philosophies, especially on defence. I love that he challenges us. He has me doing things on defence I normally wouldn’t think I could do, so I love that he is constantly pushing us and challenging us. And as a coach, I just think he’s doing great things with our team so far. I think we’re growing and progressing every game, and I’m looking forward to see how that continues to grow throughout this tournament and beyond.” LaPeña said Alexander’s leadership was integral to the team’s success, to which Alexander said “to me, it means a lot. I know I’m not a very vocal person. I’m more of a quiet leader. I try to lead by example, but to know that you have coaches and teammates that trust in you and believe in you, it means a lot. I’m very thankful.” LaPeña said “the key [to the team’s defensive prowess] is to give the players reduced total information because we played yesterday, we played today, we are going to play after tomorrow. The players are going to be super tired the next day, so we are doing this to reduce information and make it easier for them to execute and they are doing a great job. A great job on defence and the attitude is perfect. … I think as a coach I would like to … give them the tools to score at least 10 more points. We have players with points in their hands … I have to think about, to study our possibilities to give them the tools … to enjoy more offence.” Alexander said “as a team, we love having coach with us. He’s full of energy… I like his philosophies, especially on defense. I love that he challenges us, he has me doing things on defense I normally wouldn’t think I could do. … I like that we switch up our defences because it throws the opponents off track usually, it can get them out of their rhythm and it just shows as a team that we’re locked in and that we’re able to actually execute when coach throws something else out there. So, I actually like being able to mix it up and throwing something different at our opponents, trying to get them up off their feet a bit.” Nirra Fields paced Canada with 17 on 5-11 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc, 1-4 from the line, 6 boards and 2 steals. Shay Colley added 11 on 1-3 from the floor, 2-3 from the arc, 3-4 from the line, 2 boards and 3 assists. Kayla Alexander notched 9 on 2-7 from the floor, 5-6 from the line, 14 boards and 3 assists. Kia Nurse scored 7 on 3-6 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 1-1 from the line and 4 boards. Bridget Carleton added 5 on 0-7 from the floor, 1-7 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 2 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Natalie Achonwa scored 4 on 2-8 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 8 boards and 2 assists. Laeticia Amihere added 3 on 1-4 from the floor, 1-2 from the line and 6 boards. Aislinn Konig scored 3 on 1-2 from the arc, while Sami Hill and Phillipina Kyei were scoreless. Kyei nabbed 2 boards. Mael Gilles and Taya Hanson did not play. Canada hit 20-68 (.294) overall, 14-48 (.292) from the floor, 6-20 (.300) from the arc and 13-19 (.684) from the line, while garnering 56 boards, including 19 on the offensive glass, 13 assists, 13 fouls, 16 turnovers, 7 steals and 2 blocks. Gabby Williams paced France with 13 on 6-13 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 1-1 from the line and 8 boards. Marine Fauthoux added 7 on 1-6 from the floor, 1-6 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 2 boards, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Alexia Chartereau notched 7 on 2-4 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc and 5 boards. Iliana Rupert scored 4 on 2-3 from the floor, 2 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Marieme Badiane added 4 on 2-6 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc and 7 boards. Kendra Chery scored 3 on 0-2 from the floor and 1-2 from the arc. Lisa Berkani notched 2 on 1-4 from the floor and 0-1 from the arc. Sarah Michel added 2 on 1-3 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 4 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals. Mamignan Toure scored 2 on 1-1 from the floor and 0-1 from the arc. Helena Ciak added 1 on 1-2 from the line, while Ana Tadic and Marie-Eve Paget were scoreless. France (coached by Jean Aime Toupane, assisted by David Gautier and Cathy Melain) hit 19-62 (.306) overall, 16-43 (.372) from the floor, 3-19 (.158) from the arc and 4-7 (.571) from the line, while garnering 38 boards, including 6 on the offensive glass, 11 assists, 21 fouls, 14 turnovers, 9 steals and 5 blocks.

        Canada secured a berth in the quarterfinals by pounding Japan 70-56 to improve their record to (3-0). Both squads were plagued by turnovers early and Canada failed to score for four minutes as Japan built a 5-0 lead. But Bridget Carleton hit a 10-foot turnaround jumper and notched an and-one to get Canada on track and they took a 20-12 lead after one quarter on a late 7-0 run featuring a Nirra Fields six-foot bank shot, a Kia Nurse backdoor cut off a beautiful feed from Laeticia Amihere and a Fields trey. Japan rallied to within 22-20 but Canada clamped down their perimeter defence, while Fields notched a layup off another savvy feed from Amihere, Shay Colley a runout and Kayla Alexander a layup in the paint off yet another Amihere feed as Canada answered with a 6-0 run. Japan’s quickness yielded a 5-0 run but Fields found Kayla Alexander for a press break layup, Colley drained a trey and a 15-foot pullup, Natalie Achonwa a putback, Carleton a bucket in the paint and Amihere a layup off a steal on an inbounds pass as Canada closed out the half with 13-0 run to take a 41-25 lead into the lockers. Canada extended its lead to 21 on a Nurse trey but Monica Okoye drained a pair of treys as Japan countered with an 8-0 run. But Carleton then took command, hitting a 10-foot runner, driving the baseline for a layup and drilling a trey in a personal 8-0 run to close out the third quarter with Canada in the lead 61-39. Japan opened the final frame with a 7-0 run but Carleton stemmed the bleeding by draining another trey and repeatedly demonstrated her high basketball IQ on both ends of the floor as Canada coasted to the win. “That was a big game for us,” said Carleton said. “Obviously we played Japan in February, we were up by a lot and they ended up forcing it to overtime and we ended up losing. That was kind of on the back of our minds today but, again, it felt good to win. That’s a tough team, they’re hard to play against, they’re fast, they like to shoot the three-ball so it’s a tough matchup, [so it’s] definitely good to come away with the win. And it felt good to see some shots go in for me. … I think we’re just seeing the benefit of all the time we put in over the last four weeks. And every game it’s a different challenge. Every single game, every team plays so differently. So, being able to adjust, trusting the coaching staff and what our scouting is on the defensive end, on the offensive end, it changes every single game, but we wholeheartedly believe in Victor and the coaching staff and what they want us to do. It’s exciting to see the improvement. We’re getting used to playing with each other, how Victor wants to play, and I think it will just continue to get better. … I think hink this group, the seven or eight of us, has had a lot of training camps together. We know how to play together. We kind of have that chemistry now that maybe you didn’t see last summer at the Olympics. I think it’s starting to all come together. We kind of have a good combination of the vets and the young kids coming up and bringing a new energy and we’re kind of finding that balance between the two in making it work on the court. It’s been fun to kind of see it all come together and a huge, obviously, credit to Victor in coming in and helping to make that work.” Canadian coach Víctor LaPeña said “I think we had control of the game all the time, except maybe the last minutes when they were super tired. … For that, I am very proud of my players because we are growing up as a team. They trust a lot in me and in the coaches and it means I can think about how we are able to win [against] Japan doing this, this and this, and they try to execute perfectly. Just congratulations to my players because today was a master class to have the control of the game and it’s because they are very ready to do it.” LaPeña added that Carleton was outstanding. “You know what is the best part of her? How she is as a person. Every day she smiles. Every day she’s talking with her teammates. Every day, when she’s close to me: ‘hey coach how are you?’ They ask me every day, ‘how are you, Victor? And usually Bridget is the first one. And as a player I cannot say anything new. it’s obvious, no? She is one of the most important players in Canada. She is our — I don’t like to say a star, because he is not this kind of person, to say, ‘I’m the star.’ But every day she is working really hard and it’s not just the points … This is the kind of person I want for the team in the future. Like an example for the rest of the next generation and coming.” Bridget Carleton paced Canada with 19 on 6-9 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 6 boards. Shay Colley added 13 on 4-8 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 7 boards, 2 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Laeticia Amihere notched 10 on 4-6 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 6 boards, 5 assists and 3 steals. Nirra Fields scored 9 on 3-8 from the floor and 1-3 from the arc. Kia Nurse added 7 on 2-4 from the floor and 1-6 from the arc. Natalie Achonwa scored 6 on 3-7 from the floor, 8 boards and 2 assists. Kayla Alexander added 6 on 3-7 from the floor, 11 boards and 2 steals, while Aislinn Konig and Sami Hill were scoreless. Hill nabbed 2 boards. Mael Gilles, Phillipina Kyei and Taya Hanson did not play. Canada hit 30-69 (.435) overall, 25-50 from the floor, 5-19 (.263) from the arc and 5-6 (.833) from the line, while garnering 48 boards, including 13 on the offensive glass, 13 assists, 11 fouls, 17 turnovers, 11 steals and 6 blocks. Maki Takada paced Japan with 11 on 4-6 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 3-3 from the line, 3 boards and 3 steals. Aika Hirashita added 9 on 3-4 from the floor, 1-10 from the arc and 3 boards. Monica Okoye added 9 on 0-4 from the floor, 3-5 from the arc and 3 boards. Stephanie Mawuli notched 6 on 2-4 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 2 assists. Ramu Tokashiki scored 5 on 1-4 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc and 3 boards. Mai Yamamoto added 5 on 2-4 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc and 1-1 from the line. Himawari Akaho scored 5 on 1-2 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc and 6 boards. Saori Miyazaki added 4 on 2-3 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 3 boards and 5 assists. Nanako Todo scored 2 on 1-2 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 4 boards and 2 steals, while Shiori Yasuma, Mai Yoshida and Yuki Miyazawa were scoreless. Yasuma nabbed 2 boards and dished 5 assists. Japan (coached by Toru Onzuka, assisted by Yoshikazu Suzuki and Tsuneo Ueno) hit 22-69 (.319) overall, 16-34 (.471) from the floor, 6-35 (.171) from the arc and 6-7 (.857) from the line, while garnering 34 boards, including 11 on the offensive glass, 14 assists, 13 fouls, 14 turnovers, 7 steals and 4 blocks.

        Canada fell to (3-1) after dropping a 75-72 decision to Australia. Australia burned Canada on pick-and-rolls as they broke to a 9-3 lead. But Canada countered with an 11-0 run as Shay Colley drove for a layup and nailed a trey, while Laeticia Amihere added a mid-range jumper and a runout layup off a steal, and Nirra Fields a mid-range jumper. Fields, Kia Nurse and Colley added treys as Canada extended its lead to 23-14 after one quarter. Canada extended its lead to 14 on a Sami Hill trey and a pair of free throws from Natalie Achonwa before Stephanie Talbot boardwork, defence and passing rallied Australia as they began to repeatedly capitalize on their superior size and athleticism to close out the half with a 19-0 run to take a 38-33 lead into the lockers. Bridget Carleton re-ignited the Canadian offence, hitting a backdoor layup, a mid-range jumper, as well as a pair of treys and free throws as Canada took a 49-43 lead. Australia answered with a 8-2 run featuring several savvy feeds from Talbot but Nirra Fields countered with an and-one and Nurse a trey as Canada took a 57-51 lead after three quarters. The wheels began to fall off midway through the final frame. Samantha Whitcomb hit a six-foot pull-up and a trey as Australia knotted the score at 60. Nurse answered with a trey but a series of ballhandling miscues resulted in a pair of Talbot runouts. Amihere countered with a putback but Talbot notched another runout and Whitcomb another trey as Australia took a 70-65 lead. Kayla Alexander responded with a mid-range jumper and Nurse a pair of free throws as Canada trimmed the margin to one. But Canada missed several open looks down the stretch, while Whitcomb countered with a free throw, and Talbot a layup off a backdoor cut, as well as pair of free throws, before Fields closed out the affair with a trey. “I thought we played hard,” said Fields. “We had them in the beginning with our defence and they just played really great team defence towards the end and we made a couple of mistakes that they really just punished us for but overall it was a really good game. We really fought hard.” Canadian coach Víctor LaPeña said “I’m very proud of my players because we competed all the time and this is what I ask of them. We have to compete every minute, to compete in all games in this tournament and unfortunately today it wasn’t possible to win. We dominated the game in two periods and Australia dominated the game in two periods. Finally, we lost by three points. We were very close and this is very important for our future because today we got experience in this kind of atmosphere. I’m sure in the future when we have these kinds of games or moments, we will be better and solve some situations that today we didn’t resolve in a smart way.” Ezi Magbegor paced Australia with 16 on 6-10 from the floor, 4-4 from the line, 7 boards, 3 assists and 5 blocks. Samantha Whitcomb added 15 on 1-2 from the floor, 4-9 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 2 boards, 6 assists and 4 steals. Stephanie Talbot notched 11 on 3-6 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 9 boards and 8 assists. Marianna Tolo scored 9 on 3-10 from the floor, 3-4 from the line, 5 boards and 2 blocks. Darcee Garbin added 8 on 2-3 from the floor and 2-2 from the line. Tess Madgen notched 6 on 0-1 from the floor, 2-3 from the arc and 5 boards. Lauren Jackson added 6 on 0-1 from the floor and 2-4 from the arc. Kristy Wallace scored 2 on 0-2 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 2 boards and 2 assists. Cayla George added 2 on 1-2 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc and 2 boards, while Sara Blicavs and Anneli Maley were scoreless. Blicavs nabbed 2 boards. Bec Allen did not play. Australia (coached by Sandy Brondello, assisted by Cheryl Chambers and Olaf Carsten Lange) hit 25-58 (.431) overall, 14-35 (.400) from the floor, 11-23 (.478) from the arc and 14-16 (.875) from the line, while garnering 38 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass, 22 assists, 14 fouls, 15 turnovers, 6 steals and 9 blocks. Nirra Fields paced Canada with 17 on 5-11 from the floor, 2-6 from the arc, 1-1 from the line, 6 boards and 3 assists. Bridget Carleton added 16 on 2-7 from the floor, 3-6 from the arc, 3-4 from the line, 2 boards and 2 steals. Kia Nurse notched 11 on 0-3 from the floor, 3-5 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 3 boards. Shay Colley scored 10 on 2-6 from the floor, 2-4 from the arc and 2 assists. Laeticia Amihere added 7 on 3-7 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 3 boards, 2 steals and 3 blocks. Kayla Alexander scored 4 on 2-8 from the floor, 11 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals. Natalie Achonwa added 4 on 1-4 from the floor, 2-2 from the line, 6 boards and 2 assists. Sami Hill scored 3 on 1-1 from the arc, while Aislinn Konig, Mael Gilles, Phillipina Kyei and Taya Hanson did not play. Canada hit 26-68 (.382) overall, 15-46 (.326) from the floor, 11-22 from the arc and 9-13 (.692) from the line, while garnering 38 boards, including 16 on the offensive glass, 12 assists, 15 fouls, 13 turnovers, 10 steals and 6 blocks.

        Canada closed out play at (4-1) by thrashing Mali 88-65 as Bridget Carleton lit up the nets for 27, including 7 treys. Carleton opened Canada’s scoring with a pair of treys, while Kayla Alexander ran amok in the blocks and Aislinn Konig hit a pair of treys as the Canadians took a 33-16 lead after one quarter. Carleton added another pair from beyond the arc to open the second frame as Canada extended its lead to 42-18. With the outcome long since determined, Canadian coach Víctor LaPeña began experimenting with his lineups. With neither team exhibiting an inclination to defend, and both prone to measure of sloppy ballhandling, Canada led 53-29 at the half and 70-46 after three quarters. Canada led by as many as 28. Natalie Achonwa said “I love to see the confidence that everyone else now gets to see [in] Bridget Carleton. She’s always been explosive. She’s always been a shooter and a scorer, but she’s really embraced this moment and our need for her to fill that role. And I’m glad to see that the world gets to see as well, who I’ve known that Bridget Carleton has been all this time. … I was really happy with how we approached the game. These are the kinds of games that can get you caught up. Fifth game in six days. The mentality we took coming in to respect our opponents and to come up with our best effort was shown today.” Bridget Carleton paced Canada with 27 on 2-5 from the floor, 7-8 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 8 boards and 3 assists. Kayla Alexander added 19 on 6-6 from the floor, 7-8 from the line, 14 boards, 4 assists and 3 blocks. Kia Nurse notched 11 on 4-6 from the floor and 1-3 from the arc. Aislinn Konig scored 11 on 1-2 from the floor and 3-8 from the arc. Natalie Achonwa added 9 on 2-6 from the floor, 5-6 from the line, 4 boards and 4 assists. Nirra Fields scored 6 on 3-5 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 5 boards and 2 assists. Laeticia Amihere added 3 on 0-2 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 3-6 from the line and 2 steals. Phillipina Kyei scored 2 on 1-2 from the floor and 4 boards, while Sami Hill, Shay Colley, Mael Gilles and Taya Hanson were scoreless. Colley dished 4 assists and pilfered 2 balls. Hill Dished 2 assists. Canada hit 30-68 (.441) overall, 19-41 (.463) from the floor, 11-27 (.407) from the arc and 17-22 (.773) from the line, while garnering 46 boards, including 17 on the offensive glass, 22 assists, 17 fouls, 16 turnovers, 7 steals and 6 blocks. Alima Dembele paced Mali with 12 on 4-5 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 2 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals. Djeneba N’Diaye added 12 on 4-8 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 4-5 from the line, 2 boards and 3 assists. Sika Kone notched 10 on 3-9 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 4-6 from the line and 10 boards. Salimatou Kourouma scored 9 on 3-5 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc and 6 boards. Kankou Coulibaly added 7 on 1-6 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 2-4 from the line and 2 boards. Kamite Elisabeth Dabou scored 6 on 1-2 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc and 1-1 from the line. Meiya Tirera added 5 on 0-3 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc and 2-2 from the line. Diana Balayera scored 4 on 2-5 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 6 boards and 3 blocks, while Touty Gandega, Djeneba Sangare and Mamouna Haidara were scoreless. Haidara nabbed 3 boards and dished 3 assists. Aminata Traore did not play. Mali (coached by Joaquin Brizuela, assisted by Amara Traore) hit 23-67 (.343) overall, 18-49 (.367) from the floor, 5-18 (.278) from the arc and 14-20 (.700) from the line, while garnering 38 boards, including 16 on the offensive glass, 12 assists, 16 fouls, 17 turnovers, 8 steals and 5 blocks.

        Canada finished (4-1) and tied with Australia for first place in pool play and was seeded 2nd by virtue of their three-point loss to the Opals.

        In the quarterfinals, Canada dusted Puerto Rico 79-60. Kia Nurse notched a pair of treys as Canada broke open a 4-4 tie with a 13-0 run with their pressure defence and defensive box-outs. But Canada soon became over-reliant on their perimeter offence as Puerto Rico remained within reach until Bridget Carleton drained a late trey to give Canada a 26-11 after one quarter. Nurse opened the second frame with another trey and although Canada appeared indifferent to closing out on perimeter shooters and delivered a dreary performance from the free throw line, they led 44-23 at the half and 60-42 after three quarters. Carleton delivered several exceptional minutes early in the fourth quarter as Canada buried dim Puerto Rican hopes of a comeback. Canada led by as many as 25. Kia Nurse called Canada’s qualification for the medal round a “great accomplishment. … It’s been a really long time coming. Getting to this point, I think it speaks a lot to those who have come before us to help us grow the game in Canada, to help us to continue to gradually climb the ladder as we have in the last number of years. … It’s been a really long road. When you’re a professional athlete, sometimes there’s a lot of pressure and there’s a lot of love/hate for the game. Right now it’s just fun. Everything about basketball right now is really fun and that’s the joy you have when you’re like four or five, just starting to play the game. Just really excited to be out here. And this makes it even more special.” Bridget Carleton said “it’s always our goal to win a quarterfinal and make it to the semifinals. The medal rounds is where we want to be.” Canadian coach Víctor LaPeña said “in this moment I want to say congratulations to [our] Canada Basketball family because to be here in the semifinal is not just what we are doing on the court, many people are working really hard in Toronto, in Canada. What we are doing on the court in this tournament is for all Canada Basketball and for our family. Congratulations because I know all of you wake up to watch the game. Keep enjoying and keep dreaming. Why not?” Kia Nurse paced Canada with 17 on 2-5 from the floor, 4-7 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 4 boards and 2 assists. Bridget Carleton added 15 on 3-6 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 6-9 from the line, 7 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Laeticia Amihere notched 12 on 5-12 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 3-4 from the line and 3 boards. Natalie Achonwa scored 12 on 6-9 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 0-1 from the line, 9 boards and 4 assists. Shay Colley added 11 on 4-7 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 4 boards, 6 assists and 3 steals. Nirra Fields scored 6 on 0-4 from the floor, 2-4 from the arc, 0-2 from the line, 4 boards and 3 assists. Sami Hill added 2 on 2-2 from the line and 2 boards, while Aislinn Konig and Phillipina Kyei were scoreless. Mael Gilles and Taya Hanson did not play. Canada hit 29-73 (.397) overall, 21-52 (.404) from the floor, 8-21 (.381) from the arc and 13-22 (.591) from the line, while garnering 51 boards, including 15 on the offensive glass, 21 assists, 15 fouls, 4 turnovers, 8 steals and 5 blocks. Arella Guirantes paced Puerto Rico with 19 on 6-19 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 7 boards and 3 assists. Trinity San Antonio added 16 on 6-8 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 2 boards and 2 steals. Isalys Quinones notched 12 on 4-6 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 7 boards. Jennifer O’Neill scored 4 on 1-4 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 3 boards. Tayra Melendez added 4 on 2-3 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc and 4 boards. Mya Hollingshed scored 3 on 1-6 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 1-3 from the line, 12 boards and 2 blocks. Pamela Rosado added 2 on 2-2 from the floor and 2 assists, while Brianna Jones, Sofia Roma and India Pagan were scoreless. Zaida Gonzalez and Mairimar Vargas did not play. Puerto Rico (coached by Gerardo Batista, assisted by Samuel Leonel Arill and Hernandez Carlos Morales) hit 24-67 (.358) overall, 20-48 (.417) from the floor, 4-19 (.211) from the arc and 8-13 (.615) from the line, while garnering 42 boards, including 9 on the offensive glass, 10 assists, 16 fouls, 9 turnovers, 3 steals and 4 blocks.

        In the semi-finals, Canada was torched 83-43 by the United States. The U.S. held Canada scoreless for the game’s opening five minutes while exploding to a 15-0 lead as Canada played what coach Víctor LaPeña dubbed in a timeout “embarrassing defence.” Particularly in transition. Laeticia Amihere finally stemmed the bleeding by driving for a layup. By the end of the quarter, the U.S. was deep into its bench and commentators were calling it a “great learning experience for Canada.” The U.S. 27-7, 45-21 and 67-29 at the quarters as Canada often looked timid and intimidated. U.S. forward Alyssa Thomas said ““Canada has been playing really well all tournament and the goal was just to come out there and really limit them. We were really locked in from the jump with our game plan. … I think after that punch, it really took the air out of them. They didn’t know what to do with their offence anymore after that.” Natalie Achonwa said “we didn’t get it done today, but what we’re going to do is take this with what we learned today and how we can turn it up tomorrow. It’s still a game for a medal and it’s just as important for us.” LaPeña said “it’s very, very important to be in these games for us. Before coming here we didn’t talk, we didn’t expect to be in the semifinal, but on the other hand we didn’t think that we wouldn’t be able to do it. … They played amazing from the beginning of the game. When you play against USA in the semifinal it’s pretty clear that you’re either perfect or they’re going to break the game open in 10-15 minutes.” Breanna Stewart paced the United States with 17 on 2-6 from the floor, 4-5 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 8 boards, 3 assists and 3 blocks. A’Ja Wilson added 15 on 4-7 from the floor, 7-7 from the line, 12 boards, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Kelsey Plum notched 14 on 4-5 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 3-3 from the line and 2 assists. Alyssa Thomas scored 10 on 5-5 from the floor and 3 boards. Brionna Jones added 6 on 3-8 from the floor, 8 boards and 2 assists. Ariel Atkins notched 6 on 3-5 from the floor. Jewell Loyd added 4 on 1-5 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 2-3 from the line and 3 boards. Chelsea Gray scored 4 on 2-4 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 4 boards and 8 assists. Shakira Austin added 4 on 1-4 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 5 boards. Sabrina Ionescu scored 3 on 1-2 from the floor and 4 boards, while Betnijah Lacey was scoreless, nabbed 2 boards and dished 2 assists. Injured Kahleah Copper did not play. The United States (coached by Cheryl Reeve, assisted by Kara Lawson and Mike Thibault) hit 31-64 (.484) overall, 25-50 from the floor, 6-14 (.429) from the arc and 15-17 (.882) from the line, while garnering 53 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass, 21 assists, 9 fouls, 17 turnovers, 8 steals and 8 blocks. Laeticia Amihere paced Canada with 8 on 2-9 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 3 boards. Kia Nurse added 7 on 0-3 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 4-4 from the line and 2 boards. Bridget Carleton notched 6 on 3-4 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 5 boards, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Mael Gilles scored 6 on 3-5 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc and 3 boards. Phillipina Kyei added 4 on 2-6 from the floor, 5 boards and 3 blocks. Shay Colley scored 3 on 0-2 from the floor and 1-2 from the arc. Nirra Fields added 3 on 0-7 from the floor and 1-4 from the arc. Aislin Konig scored 2 on 1-1 from the floor, 0-7 from the arc and 2 assists. Sami Hill added 2 on 1-5 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 3 boards and 2 steals. Natalie Achonwa scored 2 on 0-2 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 3 boards and 2 assists, while Kayla Alexander and Taya Hanson were scoreless. Alexander nabbed 3 boards and Hanson 2. Canada hit 16-73 (.219) overall, 12-47 (.255) from the floor, 4-26 (.154) from the arc and 7-8 (.875) from the line, while garnering 37 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 5 assists, 19 fouls, 15 turnovers, 9 steals and 6 blocks.

        In the bronze medal match, Australia dusted Canada 95-65. Bridget Carleton opened Canada’s scoring with a trey as Canada took an early 7-2 lead. Kia Nurse drove for a tough layup to give Canada an 11-8 lead. But Canada found itself unable to handle Australia bigs in the paint, repeatedly being whistled for questionable fouls and relinquishing a series of offensive boards. Legendary post Lauren Jackson, a 41-year-old who’d returned from retirement in 2016 to play a last tournament in her home country, came off the bench to drain a baseline jumper that ignited an 8-0 run. Australia led 27-21 after one quarter and 51-43 at the half as Stephanie Talbot notched a late and-one and then drilled a trey at the buzzer. Jackson alone (13) outscored Canada (11) in the third quarter and Australia bridged the quarters with a 15-0 run while taking a 71-54 lead heading into the final frame. Canada threw in the towel down the stretch. Kia Nurse, returning to the court after an 11-month rehab from ACL surgery, said “in the first half, everything was working for me. There wasn’t much that was slowing me down. I was grateful to have the opportunity. For Víctor and the team having the belief in me, in the limited minutes I was able to play (being in recovery from a torn ACL). Just being able to be out there again is absolutely incredible and I’m so grateful to everybody that has helped me in that journey. … Obviously, it didn’t end the way that we wanted it to, but I’m proud of this team. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. We read articles and know that no one thought we’d make it out of our pool and here we are. I think it’s a tough way to end a tournament, but [we look at this like] building blocks. I’m proud of the way this team fought and I’m proud of the resilience of this team.” Nurse called Jackson “one of the best in the world. You know those tournaments where they have fairy-tale endings and this one had to be a fairy-tale ending, but you’re on the other side of it? All credit to her, and continuing to get herself back to where she wanted to be to play in this tournament.” Canadian coach Víctor LaPeña said “congratulations to Australia. They played, especially the first minutes in the third period, no, for 40 minutes, with a hard mentality. Very tough and experienced. [They] played with experience to know after a tough loss yesterday that today was an amazing opportunity for them in their country to win a bronze medal. I’m not sad or angry with my players. Totally opposite of that. They did their best.” Jackson said “I could have never dreamed of this. I can’t imagine it. I can’t actually articulate how I feel right now. It’s a dream come true. The fact that it’s over, there’s nothing bittersweet. It’s so, so special and I’ve the pleasure doing it here. It’s been perfect. … Lucky to have this opportunity to represent Australia and also say goodbye. I didn’t get that chance all those years ago. … To say goodbye this way is just magnificent. I couldn’t imagine that.” Lauren Jackson paced Australia with 30 on 11-13 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 8-9 from the line, 7 boards and 2 steals. Stephanie Talbot added 16 on 3-7 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc, 4-4 from the line, 8 boards, 8 assists and 2 steals. Sara Blicays notched 12 on 2-6 from the floor, 2-4 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 4 boards and 2 blocks. Kristy Wallace scored 8 on 3-5 from the floor, 2-2 from the line, 2 boards and 2 assists. Marianna Tolo added 8 on 2-2 from the floor, 4-4 from the line, 3 boards and 2 assists. Samantha Whitcomb scored 7 on 1-1 from the floor, 1-8 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 2 assists. Cayla George added 6 on 1-2 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 3 boards and 3 blocks. Ezi Magbegor scored 5 on 2-3 from the floor and 1-2 from the line. Tess Madgen added 3 on 1-2 from the arc, 3 boards and 4 assists, while Darci Garben and Anneli Maley were scoreless. Garbin nabbed 2 boards. Bec Allen did not play. Australia (coached by Sandy Brondello, assisted by Cheryl Chambers and Olaf Carsten Lange) hit 32-64 overall, 25-41 (.610) from the floor, 7-23 (.304) from the arc and 24-27 (.889) from the line, while garnering 42 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass, 21 assists, 18 fouls, 8 turnovers, 7 steals and 6 blocks. Kia Nurse paced Canada with 19 on 4-7 from the floor, 2-6 from the arc, 5-8 from the line and 3 boards. Nirra Fields added 12 on 3-9 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 3-6 from the line, 4 boards and 4 assists. Natalie Achonwa notched 10 on 4-5 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 2-5 from the line, 3 boards and 2 blocks. Shay Colley scored 8 on 4-6 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 2 boards and 2 assists. Bridget Carleton added 7 on 1-3 from the floor, 1-9 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 3 boards and 4 assists. Laeticia Amihere scored 7 on 3-7 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 1-1 from the line, 5 boards and 2 blocks. Kayla Alexander added 2 on 1-3 from the floor and 4 boards, while Aislinn Konig, Sami Hill, Mael Gilles, Philippina Kyei and Taya Hanson were scoreless. Canada hit 24-62 (.387) overall, 20-40 from the floor, 4-22 (.182) from the arc and 13-22 (.591) from the line, while garnering 31 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass, 12 assists, 23 fouls, 12 turnovers, 2 steals and 5 blocks.

        The all-tournament team featured MVP A’Ja Wilson (United States); Breanna Stewart (United States); Xu Han (China); Stephanie Talbot (Australia); and Bridget Carleton (Canada).