FIBA Women's World Cup 2018: Canada wins Group A after strong fourth quarter showing against France

Conor Roche

FIBA Women's World Cup 2018: Canada wins Group A after strong fourth quarter showing against France image

A dominant fourth quarter led team Canada to a win over France to secure first place of Group A in the 2018 FIBA Women's World Cup. 

Trailing 46-45 at the end of the third, Canada outscored France 26-14 in the fourth quarter en route to a 71-60 victory. Both teams traded buckets for the first six minutes of the quarter, giving Canada a 60-55 lead with four minutes left before the strong Canadian finish.

 

 

Canada reeled off 10 straight points, with Kia Nurse scoring seven and Miranda Ayim adding three, in a 2:30 span to put Canada up 70-55 with 1:25 remaining, icing the victory.

Nurse led all scorers on Tuesday with 18 points, shooting 5-for-14 (36 percent) from the field and 4-for-11 (36 percent) from behind the arc. She also had a game-high six assists.

Forward Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe was second on the team in points with 13 and point guard Shay Colley added 12 herself. Raincock-Ekunwe and forward Natalie Achonwa led all players in rebounds with 10 each.

 

 

Tuesday's win can count as revenge for Canada as France knocked them out of the 2016 Olympics by defeating them in the quarterfinals.

By winning the group, Canada won't face the USA until the final if both teams should make it that far. 

Up next for Canada is a matchup on Friday between the winner of Wednesday's Spain vs. Senegal game.

Conor Roche