Canada showcased a dominant performance against New Zealand, securing an 86-71 victory in the semifinal of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament held in Guadalajara. Throughout the game, Canada maintained the lead for almost 32 minutes and reached a peak advantage of 30 points during the third quarter.
Key players Syla Swords and Delaney Gibb both contributed 17 points each, with Jasmine Bascoe adding 15 points along with eight assists and four rebounds, propelling Canada into the final match. Swords stood out for her exceptional performance, shooting 6-for-8 from the field and a flawless 5-for-5 from beyond the arc.
In the upcoming final, Canada will face the host team, Mexico, with the championship title and a spot in the next phase of Olympic qualification at stake. Mexico secured their spot in the final by defeating Brazil in the other semifinal matchup.
Having previously triumphed over Mexico with a 70-64 victory in the group stage, Canada is set for a rematch in the championship showdown. The ultimate winner of the tournament will secure a place in one of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments scheduled for February 2028.
