Kayla Alexander scored a team-high 21 points and added six rebounds as the Canadian women’s national team held off Australia 77-74 Tuesday in a pre-Olympic exhibition game in Spain.
With Canada ahead by a single point heading into the final seconds, Jade Melbourne came up short on a layup that would have put Australia into the lead. Canada’s Bridget Carleton was fouled with 1.8 seconds remaining and made both of her free throws and finished with 10 points.
The Canadians earned the final spot in the Paris Olympics during their qualifying tournament earlier this year after finishing fourth at the most recent FIBA World Cup in 2022.
Canada will play Spain on Wednesday to wrap up its exhibition schedule.
The team opens its Olympic schedule July 29 against host France.