The Canadian women’s basketball team secured a resounding 83-53 victory over Mexico in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament held in Guadalajara. This win propels Canada closer to earning a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Canada also clinched the single berth in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2028, the final qualification stage for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Leading the charge for Canada was Kayla Alexander, contributing 14 points along with four rebounds and three assists. Agot Makeer added 13 points on a 5-of-7 shooting performance, while also tallying three rebounds and three assists without any turnovers.
The Canadian team displayed dominance throughout the tournament, achieving a perfect 5-0 record with victories over Senegal, the Philippines, Mexico, and New Zealand, culminating in a triumphant win over the host nation in the championship game.
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, and Yvonne Ejim delivered an impressive 10-point, 17-rebound double-double, garnering a game-high efficiency rating of 22 and a plus-32 rating.
Fortner highlighted the team’s defensive strategy as a key factor in the victory, emphasizing their focus on shutting down the opponent’s offense by limiting three-point opportunities. The Canadian team’s defensive prowess translated into offensive success, ultimately securing their triumph in the tournament.