Canada tops Brazil to reach women's hoops quarters

Published November 20, 2014

Kim Smith and Courtney Pilypaitis each scored 14 points, as Canada advanced to the quarterfinals of the women's basketball tournament with a 79-73 win over Brazil.

Tamara Tatham added 13 and Shona Thorburn contributed 10 with eight assists for Canada, which improved to 2-2 in Group B and will conclude round-robin play on Sunday against Australia. France, Russia and Australia have also clinched spots in the quarterfinal round from Group B.

Erika de Souza scored 22 points and Clarissa Santos chipped in 21 for Brazil, which is 0-4 and will try to win at least one game in the tournament on Sunday in its finale against Great Britain.

Canada closed the first quarter with 10 straight points for an 18-8 lead and, after Brazil drew within four midway through the second, again scored the final 10 points of the period and carried a 39-25 cushion to the break.

Brazil didn't go away and used a 10-0 run late in the third to draw within 50-49, then finally went in front in the first minute of the fourth when a three-point play by Santos made it 56-55.

Canada took the lead for good with a 9-2 run midway through the fourth. Thorburn snapped a 61-61 tie with a free throw and drilled a three with 4 1/2 minutes remaining to give the Canadians a 70-63 advantage.

The Brazilians got as close as three a couple of times down the stretch, but the Canadians made enough free throws to seal it.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/canada-tops-brazil-to-reach-womens-hoops-quarters