Advertisement

Canada beats China 82-63 ahead of Olympics in women’s basketball game in Edmonton

Click to play video: 'Canada takes on China in women’s basketball tournament in Edmonton'
Canada takes on China in women’s basketball tournament in Edmonton
WATCH ABOVE: Canada's women's basketball team is gearing up for the Olympics by hosting a three-game exhibition tournament against China in Edmonton this weekend. Jack Haskins has more – Jul 10, 2016

The Canadian women’s national team put a slow start behind them to win their opener at the 2016 Edmonton Grads International Classic.

Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe and Tamara Tatham led the way with 12 points each as Canada beat China 82-63 on Saturday in the first of three exhibition games in a lead up to the Rio Olympics.

READ MORE: Canadian women’s basketball team keeping close eye on men ahead of Rio

Canada had seven players score at least eight points each.

“That’s what this team is,” said captain Kim Gaucher. “We are so deep, it doesn’t matter who it is, it’s someone’s hot we can get them the ball. We have 12 people that are capable on other teams to put up 20 a night if they had to, so it’s really fun to play like that. We’re very unselfish and it’s really cool.”

Story continues below advertisement

Canada’s starting lineup included Miah-Marie Langlois, Gaucher, Raincock-Ekunwe, Tatham and Miranda Ayim. Natalie Achonwa, Kia Nurse, Ruth Hamblin and Jamie Weisner were a few of the regulars that didn’t dress for various reasons.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Canada, ranked ninth in the world, trailed No. 8 China 15-13 after the first quarter, but got it together to start the second. The Canadians turned a two-point deficit into a 39-30 lead by halftime. Canada was ahead 69-45 after dominating the third quarter.

Shao Ting had a game-high 13 points for China.

Michelle Plouffe added 11 points for the Canadians, who made the Chinese pay for turning over the ball on many occasions. Canada scored 25 points off 17 China turnovers while the Chinese were limited to just eight points off 13 Canada turnovers.

READ MORE: Canada’s men’s basketball team loses last-chance Olympic qualifier to France

Canada also dominated on the glass, holding a 33-16 rebounding margin, including 13-3 on the offensive end.

“We have great rebounders, we get to hot spots and we’ve got a lot of height as well,” said Tatham. “They’re big, but our guards, sometimes, in different spots, are big too.”

The game was Canada’s first in a month, following a successful European exhibition tour in early June.

Story continues below advertisement

“We’ve been away and not in-game focus for a while, so it was good to work out the kinks and we had a better performance in the second half,” said coach Lisa Thomaidis.

Canada will host China in the second of the three-game set on Sunday.

Sponsored content

AdChoices