Canada's rally falls short vs. Spain, but hope to qualify still remains

The Canadian Senior Women’s National Team fell to Spain 60-55 in their second game of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Sopron, Hungary, on Friday.

Canada lost despite a 17-point, 14-rebound double-double from Kayla Alexander, nine points from Nirra Fields and seven points and 11 rebounds from Natalie Achonwa. This was Alexander’s second consecutive double-double in this tournament.

No. 4 Spain was led by 16 points from Megan Gustafson off the bench as well as 13 points from Queralt Casas in the win.

Canada led by two, 55-53, midway through the fourth, but went scoreless over the final 4:44 of the game as Spain closed the gap and regained the lead after a three from Maite Cazorla.

There were eight lead changes in a game that was defined by runs from both teams. Spain opened the game on an 11-0 run before Canada reeled off 12 straight points after a timeout. 

“I’m really proud of my teammates for how we continued to play all the way to the end of the game,” Achonwa told reporters on Friday. “We didn't start the first quarter well, but after halftime, Coach challenged us to come out with more energy and I was really happy with how we responded. At the end of the day, you have to play 40 minutes to get a win but we will keep our heads high because the tournament is not over and we have another game.”

Despite the loss, Canada's coach Victor Lapeña was pleased with the way his players pushed against Spain, especially after falling behind early.

“Very proud of my players,” he told reporters. “In this kind of situation after Japan defeated [Spain on Thursday], it is very, very difficult. ... They pushed us out of our style of play, but after halftime, we fixed something. I was very, very, very happy with how the team came back into the game, how we understood perfectly the way to beat Spain. It was a great learning for us, if we have the option to play against Spain again in the future.”

When Spain outscored Canada 20-13 in the second quarter to take an 11-point halftime lead, Canada fought its way back after the break to win the third quarter 23-9. The Canadians opened the third strong, scoring the first seven points of the quarter as a three from Shay Colley brought Canada within two, 36-34. After Colley found Alexander for a layup, Spain called a timeout with its lead down to two points with 7:42 remaining in the quarter.

On the final possession of the quarter, a huge block from Bridget Carleton protected Canada’s three-point lead, 48-45, heading into the fourth.

The teams traded baskets and leads in the fourth until a drive and score from Carleton gave Canada a two-point lead, 55-53, with 4:44 remaining. This was Canada’s final basket of the game as a huge three from Cazorla moved Spain in front 56-55 with 2:39 remaining. They wouldn’t trail again.

With the loss, Canada moves to 1-1 in the tournament with a Sunday match-up against Japan on deck. A win against Japan on Sunday would qualify Canada for the Paris Olympics. A Japan victory against Hungary on Friday would also mean that Canada qualifies. 

Lapeña is confident his team will be ready to go for its final game in Hungary.

“[We] move on, have a good rest and focus on our next game on Sunday against Japan,” Lapeña said. “We have to play a serious game against Japan. Intense, smart, and I am sure that Sunday we will qualify.”