Canada showcased a dominant performance against New Zealand, securing an 86-71 victory in the semifinal of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament held in Guadalajara. Throughout the game, Canada maintained the lead for almost 32 minutes and achieved a significant 30-point advantage during the third quarter. Syla Swords and Delaney Gibb each contributed 17 points, with Jasmine Bascoe adding 15 points, eight assists, and four rebounds to propel Canada into the final match. Swords displayed exceptional accuracy, shooting 6-for-8 from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the three-point line.
In the upcoming final, Canada will face the host team, Mexico, in a high-stakes showdown where the tournament title and a spot in the next phase of Olympic qualification will be at stake. Mexico earned their spot in the final by defeating Brazil in the other semifinal clash. Canada previously triumphed over Mexico with a score of 70-64 in the group stage, setting the stage for an exciting rematch in the championship round.
The victorious team in the tournament final will secure a coveted place in one of the upcoming FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments scheduled for February 2028.