ISTANBUL – Canada advanced to the quarterfinals of the women's world championship for the first time in 20 years after knocking off the Czech Republic 91-71 on Wednesday.
After finishing 12th at the 2010 world championships which were hosted by the Czechs, Canada has seen steady improvement over the past four years led by a talented young group of players.
Kim Gaucher scored 17 points to lead Canada, which will play Australia on Friday. The Canadians last made the quarterfinals in 1994 when they finished seventh. UCLA junior Nirra Fields scored 15 points for Canada while UConn freshman Kia Nurse added 12.
In other quarterfinals qualifying games, China topped Belarus 72-67, Serbia edged Cuba 86-79 and France beat Brazil 61-48.
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