By Canadian Press

Australia hands Canada its first loss at FIBA World Cup

Sep 26, 2022 | 6:05 AM

SYDNEY, Australia — Host Australia handed Canada’s women’s basketball team its first lost at the FIBA World Cup on Monday.

Ezi Magbegor scored 16 points as the Aussies topped Canada 75-72

Nirra Fields scored a game-high 17 points for Canada, while Bridget Carleton scored 16 and Kia Nurse chipped in with 11.

Kayla Alexander had four points and 11 rebounds for Canada, who led 57-51 after three quarters.

Nurse drained a three-pointer that gave Canada a 63-60 lead just over three minutes into the final quarter. It was Canada’s final lead as Australia employed a smothering defence to pull away from the Canadians.

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Magbegor recorded four of her game-high five shot blocks over the final five minutes.

The Canadians trailed by five in the early minutes but closed the first quarter with a 15-5 run, and Shay Colley’s three-pointer at the buzzer sent them into the second with a 25-14 lead.

Canada extended its lead to 14 but a 19-0 run put Australia up 38-33 at halftime.

With a 3-1 record, Canada sits tied with Australia and France for top spot in the Group B standings.

Canada beat France 59-45 earlier in the tournament.

Canada closes the preliminary round against winless Mali on Tuesday. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2022.

The Canadian Press