Canada showcased a dominant performance against New Zealand, securing an 86-71 victory in the semifinals of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament held in Guadalajara. Throughout the match, Canada maintained the lead for nearly 32 minutes and surged ahead by 30 points during the third quarter. Key players Syla Swords and Delaney Gibb contributed 17 points each, with Jasmine Bascoe adding 15 points, eight assists, and four rebounds, propelling Canada into the final. Swords displayed exceptional accuracy, shooting 6-for-8 from the field and a flawless 5-for-5 from beyond the arc.
In the upcoming final match, Canada will square off against host Mexico in Guadalajara, with the tournament title and a spot in the next phase of Olympic qualification up for grabs. Mexico secured their spot in the final by defeating Brazil in the other semifinal showdown. Canada previously triumphed over Mexico with a 70-64 victory in the group stage, setting the stage for an anticipated rematch in the championship clash.
The victorious team in the tournament final will secure a coveted place in one of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments scheduled for February 2028.