Canada outplayed New Zealand with a score of 86-71 in the semifinal of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament held in Guadalajara on Saturday.
Throughout the game, Canada maintained the lead for almost 32 minutes and widened the gap to 30 points in the third quarter.
Syla Swords and Delaney Gibb both contributed 17 points, while Jasmine Bascoe recorded 15 points, eight assists, and four rebounds, guiding Canada to the final match. Swords showcased exceptional accuracy, shooting 6-for-8 from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc.
In the upcoming final in Guadalajara on Sunday, Canada will compete against the host team, Mexico, with the tournament championship and a spot in the next phase of Olympic qualification at stake. Mexico secured their place in the final by defeating Brazil in the other semifinal.
Previously, Canada had triumphed over Mexico with a 70-64 victory in the group stage, setting the stage for a rematch in the championship showdown.
The victor of the tournament will secure a spot in one of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments scheduled for February 2028.
