The Canadian women’s basketball team claimed victory over Mexico with a score of 83-53 in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament held in Guadalajara. This win propels Canada closer to securing a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Additionally, Canada has clinched the sole spot in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2028, which serves as the final qualifying stage for the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Key players in Canada’s triumph included Kayla Alexander, who contributed 14 points along with four rebounds and three assists. Agot Makeer also stood out with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, along with three rebounds and three assists without any turnovers. The Canadian team displayed dominance throughout the tournament, achieving a perfect 5-0 record by defeating Senegal, the Philippines, Mexico, and New Zealand before securing the title against the host country.
Head coach Nell Fortner expressed her satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “The goal all summer long was to win this tournament, and we did that. We did it in fine fashion today. I’m super proud of my team.” Syla Swords contributed 12 points, while Yvonne Ejim impressed with a 10-point, 17-rebound double-double, adding two assists and a block. Ejim’s exceptional performance earned her a game-high efficiency rating of 22 and a plus-32 rating.
Fortner highlighted the team’s defensive strategy as a crucial factor in their success, emphasizing their focus on shutting down the opponents’ offense by limiting their three-point shots. The defensive tactics proved effective, with Mexico only managing to convert 5 out of 26 attempts from beyond the arc. Fortner attributed the team’s strong defensive performance as the catalyst for their offensive success in the final game.