Canada humble Cuba 59-46 – Claim third position in the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship for Women
When the first semifinal of the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship for women ended yesterday, the Canadian Coach Allison McNeill was left furious after the officials refused to grant her team some free throws, they deserved.
On Saturday, October 01, 2011, her team ensured a smile on her face at about the same time.
Pitched up against Cuba in the 3-4 position game, the Canadians started strongly and then maintained their momentum to win by 59-46.
Krista Phillips and Teresa Gabriele started the game with two consecutive shots for Canada and after Taimy Fernandez opened the account for Cuba with two free throws, the duo combined again to push Canada’s lead to 11-2 inside
the first five minutes.
The Canadians however went cold after that, allowing the Islander to inch back and end the first frame at 13-8.
The second quarter started with a Fernandez layup, but the Canadians responded with four points to gain a 17-10 lead early. For almost the next three and a half minutes, both teams failed to find the net and it was Ineidis Casanova’s
three with 4:37 to go, that finally broke the jinx and put Cuba within four.
Canada followed with a 7-0 spurt, but in the last minute before the halftime, Cuba bounced back with consecutive treys to slash the deficit at 24-19.
After facing some tough resistance in the first half, the Canadians finally pulled away in the third frame. They started with a 9-3 burst to rock the Cubans and then reeled off another 9-2 spurt late to strengthen their hold on
the game.
The Cubans tried hard to strike back in the last ten minutes, but were denied by some accurate Canadian shooting, especially upfront. Both teams managed 16 points in the last quarter, ensuring Canada a third place in the tournament.
The Canadians were spearheaded by Kimberley Smith on the night. The 6 ft-1 in forward racked up 13 points, six rebounds and four assists while Teresa Gabriele chipped in with 13 points, four boards and three dimes.
For Cuba, centre Clenia Noblet was the only player in double figures, ending the game on 12 points and a team high 5 rebounds.
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