| PLACINGS 1. United States 2. Romania 3. Yugoslavia 4. China 5. West Germany 6. CANADA 7. Spain 8. France 9. Japan 10. Great Britain 11. Hong Kong | CANADIANS Heidi Bauer (Winnipeg, Man./San Diego State) Sandy Chambers (Victoria, B.C./U of Victoria) Beth Cochran (Hamiota, Man./ U of Winnipeg) Debbie Huband (Ottawa, Ont./U.B.C.) Toni Kordic (Edmonton, Alta/U of Alberta) Charlotte Lusschen (Castro Valley, Cal./ U of California) Tracie McAra (Victoria, B.C./U of Victoria) Susie Neill (Vancouver, B.C./U of Victoria) Anna Pendergast (Kensington, P.E.I./Dalhousie) Lynn Polson (St. Catharines, Ont./Bishop’s) Misty Thomas (Windsor, Ont./U.N.L.V.) Wendy Verrechia (Montreal, Que./Bishop’s) Wayne Hussey – coach Pat Boland – manager Carole Keyes – therapist |
| POOL A | CAN | SPN | JPN | Record | |||
| Canada | —– | 79-63 | 108-66 | (2-0) | |||
| Spain | 63-79 | —– | 104-70 | (1-1) | |||
| Japan | 66-108 | 70-104 | —– | (0-2) | |||
| POOL B | USA | FRA | HKG | Record | |||
| United States | —– | 74-58 | 134-23 | (2-0) | |||
| France | 58-74 | —– | 106-26 | (1-1) | |||
| Hong Kong | 23-134 | 26-106 | —– | (0-2) | |||
| POOL C | ROM | GER | Record | Record | |||
| Romania | —– | 82-69 | 2-0 | (2-0) | |||
| West Germany | 69-82 | —– | 2-0 | (1-1) | |||
| Peru | 0-2 | 0-2 | —– | (0-2) | |||
| POOL D | YUG | CHN | GBR | Record | |||
| Yugoslavia | —– | 79-71 | 97-26 | (2-0) | |||
| China | 71-79 | —– | 91-35 | (1-1) | |||
| Great Britain | 26-97 | 35-91 | —– | (0-2) | |||
| CONSOLATION E | GBR | JPN | HKG | Record | |||
| Great Britain | —– | 69-57 | 105-18 | (2-0) | |||
| Japan | 57-69 | —– | 154-32 | (1-1) | |||
| Hong Kong | 18-105 | 32-154 | —– | (0-2) | |||
| MEDALS F | YUG | CHN | CAN | SPN | Record | ||
| Yugoslavia | —– | 79-71 | 73-71 | 101-64 | (3-0) | ||
| China | 71-79 | —– | 72-63 | 72-67 | (2-1) | ||
| Canada | 71-73 | 63-72 | —– | 79-63 | (1-2) | ||
| Spain | 64-101 | 67-72 | 63-79 | —– | (0-3) | ||
| MEDALS G | ROM | USA | GER | FRA | Record | ||
| Romania | —– | 86-71 | 82-69 | 74-69 | (3-0) | ||
| United States | 71-86 | —– | 86-71 | 74-58 | (2-1) | ||
| West Germany | 69-82 | 71-86 | —– | 62-59 | (1-2) | ||
| France | 69-74 | 58-74 | 59-62 | —– | (0-3) | ||
| 5-8th | West Germany 94 Spain 70 | |
| 5-8th | Canada 62 France 54 | |
| Semi | United States 86 Yugoslavia 85 | |
| Semi | Romania 97 China 68 | |
| 9th | Japan 81 Great Britain 45 | |
| 7th | Spain 75 France 72 | |
| 5th | West Germany 63 Canada 60 | |
| Bronze | Yugoslavia 59 China 46 | |
| Final | United States 83 Romania 61 | |
Just days before the opening ceremonies, coach Don McCrae was dismissed by Basketball Canada. Seven players, including four starters, left the team in support of McCrae. His firing subsequently became the subject of a judicial inquiry.
The Soviet Union women dropped out at the last minute. Peru was to have sent a women’s team but instead sent a men’s team. Senegal failed to show. Only 11 teams were left in the draw.
In pool A play, Canada opened by skewering Japan 108-66 despite playing without several players who’d left in protest of the removal of Don McCrae as head coach. Replacement coach Wayne Hussey ordered his players not to discuss the issue with the media. Deb Huband of Ottawa said “Don McCrae is a key person in the team’s development. But some good is coming from this situation. When seven veteran players left the team in support of McCrae, a path was opened to strength Canadian women’s basketball. It used to be that we had a starting unit and a support unit. It was tough for a player to break into the regular line-up. Now a lot of the younger players simply have to. All the girls we lost were big girls and that’s what we’ll feel most against tough teams, the Americans and the rougher Europeans. But we’ve got spirit and naturally, the Soviets not coming helps.” Lynn Polson paced Canada with 24 on 11-19 from the floor, 2-2 from the line, 2 boards, 7 steals and 2 assists. Deb Huband added 18 on 6-11 from the floor, 6-6 from the line and 4 assists. Wendy Verrechia scored 14 on 6-6 from the floor, 2-2 from the line, 3 boards and 3 steals. Tracy McAra scored 12 on 5-8 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 5 steals. Beth Cochran added 12 on 4-4 from the floor, 4-5 from the line and 4 boards. Toni Kordic notched 8 on 3-4 from the floor, 2-3 from the line and 9 boards. Sandy Chambers scored 8 on 4-5 from the floor and 5 boards. Charlotte Lusschen added 6 on 3-5 from the floor and 2 boards. Anna Pendergast scored 4 on 2-4 from the floor and 3 boards. Misty Thomas notched 2, along with 4 boards, while Susie Neil and Heidi Bauer were scoreless. Canada hit 45-73 (.610) from the floor and 18-20 (.900) from the line, while garnering 36 boards, including 18 on the offensive glass, 12 fouls, 15 turnovers, 21 steals and 9 assists. Yoko Enmote paced Japan with 16 on 8-10 from the floor. Yukari Ido notched 10 on 5-12 from the floor. Takako Ishibashi added 10 on 5-12 from the floor. Mikyuki Fujimoto added 8, Kumi Yoshihara 6, Rika Endoh 6, Nobuko Horike 4, Michiyo Kin 2, Yoko Takano 2 and Yoko Otsuk 2, while Junko Fujii and Akemi Okude were scoreless. Japan hit 31-61 from the floor and 4-6 from the line, while garnering 7 boards, including 4 on the offensive glass, 15 fouls, 18 turnovers and 8 steals.
Canada looked disorganized in the foul-plagued affair against Spain but prevailed 79-63. Guard Debbie Huband and Lyn Polson played most of the second half with four fouls apiece. “There were a lot of basic things that we didn’t do very well,” said Anna Pendergast, who scored 16. “Against better teams, we can’t have those breakdowns.” Spain led 6-1 early before Polson began aggressively attacking with the penetration dribble to trigger a 13-1 run. Canada built its lead to 37-24 at the half. Huband began hitting from the perimeter in the second half but the Spaniards hung around until Polson returned from a stint on the bench and scored six quick points. “We were hot and cold all game and didn’t play well,” said Pendergast. “They’re just a mediocre team and we have to do the basic things a lot better.” The 6-3 Toni Kordic struggled. “I’m not experienced right now in international ball and it’s a lot different. In university ball, I’m the tallest one and it’s really easy because you get the ball, dribble once and put it up.” Pendergast said the team has great unity despite having had seven players, including four starters, quit in protest to last month’s firing of Don McCrae. “I don’t think the public expects us to win. But we expect to win,” said Anna Pendergast. “Our record shows that, when we play well, we can win games and we can play better than today.” Coach Wayne Hussey was disappointed by Canada’s defensive play and turnovers. “We let people start driving on us and getting the ball too easy inside. When we come up against real tough teams, we just can’t let that happen. If we don’t stop it now, it will carry over into big games. We’ll have a real tough practice tomorrow. We must work hard at handling bigger teams.” Ann Junyer aggressively attacked with the dribble for Spain. Deb Huband paced Canada with 20 on 7-18 from the floor, 6-7 from the line, 6 steals and 2 assists. Lynn Polson added 18 on 6-20 from the floor, 6-8 from the line, 3 boards, 6 steals and 2 assists. Anna Pendergast scored 16 on 7-13 from the floor, 2-3 from the line, 9 boards and 2 steals. Toni Kordic scored 11 on 4-5 from the floor, 3-6 from the line, 10 boards and 4 steals. Tracie McAra notched 6 on 3-7 from the floor. Beth Cochran scored 4 on 4-5 from the line. Misty Thomas added 4, along with 4 steals, while Susie Neil, Sandy Chambers, Charlotte Luschen, Heidi Bauer and Wendy Verrechia were scoreless. Verrechia nabbed 5 boards and pilfered 3 balls. Canada hit 28-71 (.390) from the floor and 23-32 (.710) from the line, while garnering 32 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 22 fouls, 23 turnovers, 27 steals and 5 assists. Ana Junyer paced Spain with 25 on 8-16 from the floor, 9-12 from the line, 4 boards and 5 steals. Ana Eizaguirre added 9, Elena Moreno 8, Carmen Fraile 6, Rocio Jimenez 4, Concepcion Jimenuez 3, Consuelo Martinez 2, Pilar Tascon 2, Cecilia Garcia 2 and Elvira Gras 2, while Maluisa Seoane and Teresa Ogis were scoreless. Spain (coached by Maria Planas, assisted by Jose Casal) hit 18-57 (.310) from the floor and 27-35 (.770) from the line, while garnering 19 boards, including 11 on the offensive glass, 25 fouls, 22 turnovers, 14 steals and 1 assist.
Canada finishes 2-0 in pool, qualifies for semis pool.
Canada’s lack of depth proved critical in a 72-63 loss to China as they wore down in the second half and the Chinese took command. China led for most of the affair as forward Wang Aiquin dominated the paint. When she fouled out early in the second half, her replacement, Zhang Liuru proved even more effective, particularly on the boards, where she dominated the Canadian posts. Canada rushed its shots all game and bombed from the perimeter, rather than attacking the basket. But the Canadians tied the game at 33 at the half and took a 41-35 edge early in the third quarter before tiring and fouling often on defence. “We let the West German referee get to us and we should not have,” said coach Wayne Hussey. “In our end, picky fouls were being called, while our girls were getting beaten up at the other end.” Liuru Zhang paced China with 18 on 5-8 from the floor, 8-10 from the line and 4 boards. Cuilan Xue added 12 on 4-8 from the floor, 4-6 from the line, 5 boards and 4 steals. Aigin Wang notched 11 on 5-10 from the floor, 1-1 from the line and 3 boards. Yuming Zong added 8, Jun Wang 8, Qingling Han 8 and Yuping Wang 7, while Ying Chen, Guili Wang, Liping Yi, and Lunying Wun were scoreless. China (coached by Lide Hu, assisted by Shilin Hu) hit 29-57 from the floor and 14-20 (.700) from the line, while garnering 25 boards, including 8 on the offensive glass, 21 fouls, 13 turnovers, 11 steals and 6 assists. Deb Huband led Canada with 19 on 9-15 from the floor, 1-3 from the line and 8 boards. Toni Kordic added 15 on 7-10 from the floor, 1-2 from the line and 6 boards. Wendy Verrechia scored 6 on 3-5 from the floor, 6 boards and 2 steals. Anna Pendergast added 6 on 3-4 from the floor, 3 boards and 2 assists. Tracie McAra scored 5 on 2-10 from the floor and 1-2 from the line. Lynn Polson added 4 on 2-8 from the floor, 2 boards and 4 assists. Misty Thomas added 4 on 2-5 from the floor. Sandy Chambers scored 4 on 1-3 from the floor, 2-2 from the line, 5 boards and 2 assists, while Beth Cochran, Susie Neil, Charlotte Lusschen and Heidi Bauer were scoreless. Canada hit 29-61 (.470) from the floor and 5-10 from the line, while garnering 32 boards, including 12 on the offensive glass, 24 fouls, 20 turnovers, 3 steals and 9 assists.
Canada fell from medal contention after dropping a 73-71 decision to Yugoslavia after again getting dominated on the boards. Canada rallied to tie in the final minute and hoped to force overtime in a bid to get a nine-point win, which they needed to make the medal round. “Our locker room is pretty emotional right now,” said coach Wayne Hussey. “It’s been in the press all week that we’re second rate citizens, or words to that effect. The girls played their hearts out. They felt the pressure to do well and, if they didn’t make it to the final round, they feel they’re failures. If anyone watched the game tonight and called those girls a failure, I would have to question their knowledge of the game of basketball and of human beings.” Polona Dornik paced Yugoslavia with 22 on 10-17 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 8 boards. Slavica Shuka added 11 on 3-6 from the floor, 5-6 from the line and 2 boards. Slabjana Golic added 11 on 2-3 from the floor, 7-11 from the line and 3 boards. Jasmina Perazic added 10 on 4-19 from the floor, 2-2 from the line, 7 boards and 6 assists. Jelica Komnenovich added 8, Marija Uzelac 7, Totjna Vangelovska 2 and Biljana Majstorovic 2, while Snezana Bozinovic, Olivera Cangalovic, Olivera Krovokpaic and Cvetana Dekleva were scoreless. Yugoslavia (coached by Milan Vasojevich, assisted by Aleksandar Stanimirovich) hit 23-61 (.370) from the floor and 27-37 (.720) from the line, while garnering 38 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 20 fouls, 14 turnovers, 5 steals and 11 assists. Lynn Polson paced Canada with 29 on 14-21 from the floor, 1-1 from the line, 3 boards and 2 steals. Deb Huband added 16 on 6-14 from the floor, 4-5 from the line, 2 boards and 5 assists. Wendy Verrechia notched 8 on 3-13 from the floor, 2-2 from the line, 2 boards and 3 assists. Anna Pendergast added 4 on 2-7 from the floor, 4 boards and 3 steals. Susie Neil scored 4 on 2-2 from the floor and 2 steals. Toni Kordic added 4 on 1-2 from the floor, 2-3 from the line and 6 boards. Tracie McAra scored 2, Sandy Chambers 2 and Charlotte Lusschen 2, while Beth Cochran, Susie Neil and Heidi Bauer were scoreless. Canada hit 30-69 (.430) from the floor and 11-13 (.840) from the line, while garnering 21 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass, 28 fouls, 9 turnovers, 10 steals and 13 assists.
Canada finishes 1-2 in pool, dropping to the 5-8th classifications.
In the classifications, Canada defeated France 62-54. Tracie McAra paced Canada with 25 on 11-11 from the floor and 3-3 from the line. Deb Huband added 16 on 5-16 from the floor, 6-6 from the line and 5 boards. Charlotte Lusschen scored 7 on 1-3 from the floor, 5-5 from the line and 6 boards. Anna Pendergast notched 6 on 2-3 from the floor and 2-3 from the line. Heidi Bauer added 4 on 2-4 from the floor. Wendy Verrechia scored 4 on 2-6 from the floor, 4 boards, 2 steals and 2 assists. Lynn Polson, Beth Cochran, Susie Neil, Misty Thomas, Toni Kordic and Sandy Chambers were scoreless. Canada hit 23-49 (.460) from the floor and 16-22 (.720) from the line, while garnering 28 boards, including 9 on the offensive glass, 17 fouls, 22 turnovers, 4 rebounds and 6 assists. Catherine Bosero paced France with 22 on 8-19 from the floor, 6-7 from the line, 8 boards and 2 assists. Isabelle Desert added 10 on 3-8 from the floor and 4-5 from the line. Francoise Aniaud added 8, Guylaine Isnard 4, Corinne Benintendi 4, Nathalie Etienne 4 and Blandine Roubet 2, while Anne-Marie Thibert, Catherine Malfois and Catherine Clezardin were scoreless. France (coached by Indulis Vanags, assisted by Bernard Magnin) hit 20-57 (.350) from the floor and 14-18 (.770) from the line, while garnering 18 boards, including 6 on the offensive glass, 21 fouls, 16 turnovers, 6 steals and 12 blocks.
In the fifth-place match, Canada led 28-22 at the half but began turning the ball over against West Germany full-court pressure in the second half and tired, eventually losing 63-60. Canada played without guard Lynn Polson, who suffered a knee injury late in the week against Yugoslavia. Coach Wayne Hussey notes that Canada’s inexperience was evident the entire tournament. “The more experienced players we had before were also the better players. We lacked intensity sometimes over the 40 minutes here and you can’t win by panic button pushing near the end of games.” Nicola Wiegand paced West Germany with 20 on 10-13 from the floor, 2 boards and 4 steals. Andrea Gotzmann added 11 on 3-9 from the floor, 5-5 from the line and 3 boards. Anna Aszalos notched 11 on 5-11 from the floor, 1-2 from the line, 5 boards, 3 steals and 4 assists. Heidi Wayment added 9, Sabine Stoewahse 6, Maria Kuczmann 4 and Gabrielle Neumann 2, while Brigite Feldlin, Renata Kronberger, Gabriele Neumann, Ute Heimerzheim were scoreless. West Germany (coached by Anthony Dileo, assisted by Theodor Schober) hit 28-67 (.410) from the floor and 7-16 (.430) from the line, while garnering 25 boards, including 8 on the offensive glass, 17 fouls, 12 turnovers, 13 steals and 9 assists. Anna Pendergast paced Canada with 14 on 7-15 from the floor, 14 boards and 2 steals. Deb Huband added 14 on 4-12 from the floor, 6-10 from the line and 3 steals. Charlotte Lusschen added 9 on 3-7 from the floor, 3-4 from the line and 4 boards. Tracie McAra added 8 on 4-10 from the floor and 2 boards. Misty Thomas notched 6 on 3-6 from the floor and 5 boards. Toni Kordic scored 4 on 1-4 from the floor, 2-3 from the line and 5 boards. Wendy Verrechia notched 3 on 1-5 from the floor, 1-3 from the line and 8 boards. Beth Cochran scored 2, while Lynn Polson, Susie Neil, Sandy Chambers and Heidi Bauer were scoreless. Canada hit 24-65 (.360) from the floor and 12-20 (.600) from the line, while garnering 39 boards, including 16 on the offensive glass, 20 fouls, 19 turnovers, 8 steals and 2 assists.
Following the FISU games, Basketball Canada succumbs to the wishes of federal Sports Minister and senator Ray Perreault and re-instates Don McCrae as head coach of the program. Justice Keith Flanigan of the Ottawa-Carleton County Court had ruled that McCrae had been fired without just cause. Basketball Canada had cited “incompatibility” as the reason.