NEIVA (FIBA Americas Championship for Women) - Canada stayed firmly in the hunt for a place at the London Games with a victory over Jamaica in the FIBA Americas Championship for Women on Wednesday.
Canada prevailed 66-49 to clinch second place in Group B behind Brazil in the Colombia-based event.
The triumph assured Allison McNeill's team of a spot in next year's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women.
A gold medal in the FIBA Americas, though, would seal direct qualification for London.
Kim Smith poured in 13 points to lead Canada.
“We’re incredibly excited,” Smith said.
“Coming into the summer, we had a goal of reaching the Semi-Finals and giving ourselves a chance to go to London.
"We’re going to enjoy tonight and then get ready for the semis.”
Canada broke open a tight game at the end of the second quarter.
With 2:31 remaining in the half and Jamaica trailing 27-25 after a three-ball by Nicole Louden, the Canadians got points from Smith, Kalisha Keane and Miranda Ayim to go to the changing rooms with a lead of eight.
Canada captain Teresa Gabriele and Krista Phillips had baskets at the start of the third quarter to extend the advantage to 37-25.
Jamaica got no closer than eight points the rest of the way.
By the end of the game, the Canadians had out-rebounded Jamaica, 50-24.
Jamaica's team play on offense left much to be desired, too, as they had just three assists.
“I’m really happy with our team’s performance,” McNeill said.
“We talked about dominating the boards and using our depth to tire Jamaica out, and I think we did that.
"Our goal was to get to the Semi-Finals and we’re exactly where we want to be.
"We’re going to play our hearts out in these next games and see where it takes us, but we’re going to give it our best effort.”
Canada will face Argentina, the Group A winners who won for the fourth time in as many games on Wednesday in a 66-45 rout of hosts Colombia (1-3).
Cuba hit back from their narrow defeat to Argentina on Tuesday and thumped Chile, 62-42.
The Caribbean team stamped their authority on the game from the off, opening up a 19-6 lead and stretching that to 36-22 by half-time.
Cuba then delivered a third-quarter knockout, outscoring Chile 15-7 in the frame.
Maren Georgina Cepeda had 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Cubans, and Leidys Oquendo had 10 boards with her eight points.
In the day's first game, Mexico hammered Paraguay 87-44 to leave both sides with 1-3 records in Group B.
On Friday, Argentina take on Canada in the first Semi-Final and Brazil then meet Cuba.
The bronze- and gold-medal games will be staged on Saturday.
FIBA
