Team Canada’s women’s U23 team opened GLOBL JAM with an emphatic victory, defeating Africa’s BAL Select squad 98-42 to open Canada’s play at the tournament.
Canada was led by a 17-point performance from Niyah Becker, 13 points from Sarah Te-Biasu on 5-for-7 field goals, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, and a 12-point effort from Keishana Washington. Shy Day-Wilson added 11 points while leading the team with six assists.
BAL Select was led by a 14-point, seven-rebound performance from Jane Asinde and 10 points from Yara Hussein in the loss.
With BAL Select leading 6-5 midway through the first quarter, Canada closed the quarter on a 22-0 run, holding BAL Select scoreless over the final 6:20 minutes to build a 25-6 lead after the opening 10 minutes.
They didn’t look back from there.
Te-Biasu opened the second quarter scoring by driving inside for a layup. A three from Becker extended the lead to 31-8 as Canada’s outside shooting helped them pull away. Jade Belmore scored inside to push the lead to 39-15 with 2:18 remaining in the half.
Asinde’s strong play continued to earn her trips to the line, but BAL Select couldn’t slow Canada’s offence. A jumper from Tara Wallack kept Canada in front, 43-20, with a minute remaining in the half. Great ball movement by Team Canada led to a three from Rosalie Mercille to close out the half and give Canada a 46-22 advantage at the break.
Canada shot 49 percent in the victory while holding BAL Select to just 32 percent shooting. The Canadians connected on 13-of-30 three-pointers, compared to just 2-of-16 attempts from outside for BAL Select.
BAL Select turned the ball over 33 times to just 17 miscues for Canada as the Canadians held a 34-11 advantage in points scored off turnovers. Canada also won the rebounding battle 48-20, including 20-10 on the offensive glass.
Washington opened the second half with a drive and score for Canada while Asinde hit a pair of free throws for BAL Select. Asinde and Day-Wilson went back and forth scoring as Asinde continued to find success getting to the line.
A jumper from Washington gave Canada a 30-point lead with 5:48 remaining in the third. Canada closed the quarter with back-to-back three-pointers as Tineya Hylton and Mercille connected from long range to extend Canada’s advantage to 73-34 after three.
Canada continued to roll in the final frame, holding BAL Select to just eight points in the fourth quarter as they went on to pick up their first victory of GLOBL JAM.
Next up for Team Canada’s Women’s U23 squad is a meeting against Team USA at Mattamy Athletic Centre on Thursday, July 13 at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT.
Fans can catch all of the action live on Sportsnet.