(Segovia) Kayla Alexander had 21 points and six rebounds to lead Canada to a 77-74 victory over Australia on Tuesday in a pre-season game ahead of the women’s Olympic basketball tournament.
Natalie Achonwa added 15 points and six rebounds for the Canadians. Bridget Carleton had 10 points.
Jade Melbourne led Australia with 23 points.
“The team was ready to play until the very end,” Alexander said. “That balance allowed us to win a close game and get the victory.”
“We were able to use a lot of our offensive weapons. We were finding players all over the field and creating chances for everyone.”
Australia led 39-34 after one half, but Alexander scored nine of his points in the third quarter to give Canada a 57-56 lead.
The Australians pulled within one point with 1:03 left in the final quarter when Melbourne scored, but the Canadians held firm by defending the opposing attacks in the final seconds.
“It was the defense that won us that game because it was so close,” Alexander said. “It was a possession game.”
The two teams will meet again on the 1er August, during the preliminary round of the Paris Olympic Games.
The Maple Leaf improved to 1-2 in pre-Olympic play and played their first game with WNBA players Carleton, Aaliyah Edwards and Kia Nurse in the lineup.
The Canadians will conclude their preparatory schedule on Wednesday, when they face Spain. They will open the Olympic tournament against France on July 29.