First FIBA Americas Women’s Championship win for Canada since 1995
(EDMONTON, AB) – The Women’s National Team punched their ticket for the Rio 2016 Olympics, winning the 2015 FIBA Americas Women’s Championship. Canada beat Cuba 82-66 in Edmonton, Alberta.
“To do this on home soil, to do this in front of our fans, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. From the time we knew we were hosting this event and for it all to come true, it’s just an amazing feeling,” said Head Coach Lisa Thomaidis.
Kia Nurse, who scored 20 points, led the gold-medal effort for Canada. Miah-Marie Langlois shined, scoring 11 points with eight assists and only one turnover. Team Canada shot 53% from the field. Leidys Oquedo poured in 25 points to keep Cuba in it. For full box score, click here.
“It’s an incredible experience. Our team was pumped for this. To play as well as we did throughout the whole was amazing. Edmonton really stepped up and supported us every day. We couldn’t be more thankful for that,” said Nurse.
The first quarter saw a tight start for Canada, struggling to settle into their offence. Cuba used a mix of long-range attempts and rim attacks to carve out a 11-5 advantage through five minutes of play. Team Canada would be behind 22-19 after 10 minutes of action – the first time being behind after one quarter throughout the entire tournament.
“It’s an incredible experience. Our team was pumped for this. To play as well as we did throughout the whole was amazing. Edmonton really stepped up and supported us every day. We couldn’t be more thankful for that,” said Nurse.
The first quarter saw a tight start for Canada, struggling to settle into their offence. Cuba used a mix of long-range attempts and rim attacks to carve out a 11-5 advantage through five minutes of play. Team Canada would be behind 22-19 after 10 minutes of action – the first time being behind after one quarter throughout the entire tournament.
A 16-0 Canadian run that started at the end of the first energized the sold-out Saville Centre and powered Canada to a 30-22 lead. Cuba turned the ball over and Canada flourished with the transition opportunities to find lay-ups and threes. After being down three, Canada turned it around to win the second quarter 25-13 and lead 44-35 at the half.
Cuba would not go quietly, starting the second half with an 11-0 run to take a lead. But behind Miah-Marie Langlois and Kia Nurse, the Canadians took control. The guards blew by Cuban defenders and getting open lay-ups to ignite the crowd. Cuba had no answer for the dynamic perimeter play and the Women’s National Team held a 65-54 advantage after the third quarter.
With an Olympic berth on the line, Cuba dug deep but Canada would not waver. For every Cuban bucket, Canada answered back to maintain their double-digit advantage. An and-one from Nirra Fields with 4:37 left put Canada up 75-60 and the lead would be too much. As the crowd chanted “Rio,” the buzzer sounded and Canada punched their ticket to the Rio 2016 Olympics with a 82-66.
“It’s exactly what I had dreamed. When the crowd was chanting Rio at the end of the game, we were trying to hold back tears and keep composed because there was still 90 seconds left to play. What an unbelievable experience, “ said Kim Gaucher.
“It’s every athletes dream to be an Olympian. It’s a huge deal for us. The last time we were at FIBA Americas we were so close but fell short. Today, every one played their hearts out and we came up with the win. It’s amazing,” said Tamara Tatham.
This is the first FIBA Americas win since 1995, where the Women’s National Team won the tournament in Hamilton, Ontario.
The Rio 2016 Olympics will be Canada’s sixth Olympics appearance. The Women’s National Team last appeared at the London 2012 Olympics.
For the gold-medalist Women’s National Team roster and coaching staff, click here.
For details on the tournament, go to www.fibaamericas.com/can2015/en