Canada beat Jamaica 66-49 to reach semi-finals: FIBA Americas C’Ship for Women
Canada defeated Jamaica 66-49 on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, and ended the preliminary phase at the second place in Group B at the FIBA Americas Women's Basketball Championship. They will now take on against hot favourites Argentina
in the semi-final. With this victory, the Canadians have also qualified for a spot in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in June 2012.
Forward Kimberley Smith led Canada with 13 points on 6 for 12 shooting from the field and three rebounds. Miranda Joy Ayim posted 11 points, pulled down six rebounds and blocked two shots while small forward Kalisha Keane and centre
Krista Phillips chipped in with nine and eight points respectively.
Nicole Louden posted a game-high 22 points in the losing effort for Jamaica. The 28-year-old player shooting guard also grabbed three rebounds and stole the ball twice. The player went 7 for 14 from the field and 6 for 7 from free
throw line.
The Canadians shot 41.1 percent (23 for 56) from the field and 68.2 percent (15 for 22) from free throw line. Jamaica, on the other hand, hit only 27.8 percent (15 for 54) from the floor and 81 percent (17 for 21) from the line.
Canada were also dominant on the paint and grabbed 50 rebounds as compared to only 24 by the visiting team.
The Canadians made a solid start and took 13-9 lead with 03:09 to go in the first quarter. Jamaica responded aggressively though and punctuated the next four points to tie the game at 13. Thorburn then scored two points inside
the paint and put Canada ahead by 15-13, heading into the second period.
In the second quarter, the Canadians took advantage of some sloppy play from Jamaica, taking a 33-25 at halftime. Smith scored eight of her points in the first half of the game. Leading by eight points, Canada came out with better
defensive strategy in the third quarter and limited Jamaica to only nine points, stretching their lead to 50-34. They were never threatened in the last ten minutes and humbled Jamaica 66-49 to set a date with the Argentineans in the last four.
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