2021 Women's AmeriCup Group Stage Review

A busy summer for Canada's women's national team begins in Puerto Rico, specifically the Roberto Climente Coliseum in San Juan, the home of the 2021 FIBA AmeriCup.

Multiple winners in the past, Canada were unable to make it a three-peat last time out in 2019, losing to eternal foes the USA in the final. The twelve selected for the continent's flagship international event now had the chance to avenge their previous loss and get a big boost going into this summer's Olympic tournament.

In Canada's opening game, lesser defence and team unity from the Virgin Islands left them open to take control almost exclusively from the low post and at three-point line. Six players scored in double digits, with Shaina Pellington leading everyone with 16 points in just eighteen minutes played, as they get their campaign underway with a sixty-point victory.

It was a very different story against Brazil. After an even-handed first quarter, seven points without reply midway through the following period saw Canada reached the highest lead of the game, nine points, but their offence quickly dried up and Brazil responded. Led by Clarissa Dos Santos they closed the gap to a single-possession game, while Shay Colley tied to keep Canada afloat, a layup by Thayna Silva made for a Brazilian lead just as the third quarter came to an end.

Canada went in search of a way back but had a hard time getting shots off in the face of tough defence.

Fortunately Brazil were just as unsuccessful in possession, the score line remained unchanged until Kayla Alexander levelled off for Canada with six minutes to go. The scores remained tied until a three from Nirra Fields - the last of her team-best 17 points here - returned the lead to Canada in the last two minutes.

Brazil attempted to save the game with last-minute three-pointer attempts, which all fell short. This game was scrappy and not the best for scoring, with 72 missed field goals in total, but Canada came away with what would be a crucial 71-67 win over Brazil.

On the next gameday Canada were back to dominant ways against AmeriCup debutants El Salvador - after achieving a double-digit lead in the first quarter, they built on that outscoring the Salvadorans 22-2 in the second.

Trying to instigate something for El Salvador was Aida Funes Gonzalez, their top scorer with 14 points, but it was clear the damage had already been done. Still heavily outscoring their opposition, once again led by Shaina Pellington with 21 points in as many minutes, Canada completed a third win in a row by a margin of 98 points to 41.

In the last group game, Canada took most of the first quarter to untangle themselves from Colombia, but as the first quarter gave way to the second, they went on to grow a bigger and bigger lead from all spots on the floor. At the same time they kept the pressure on defence up on the Colombians, protecting their lead.

Alexander was a rebound shy of a double-double, with nine rebounds to go with her game-high 14 points

Canada complete the clean sweep of Group A with victory over Colombia, 74 points to 40.

These results saw them finish first in Group A, tailed by Brazil whose only loss so far came at the hands of the Canadians. Colombia and Virgin Islands both finish in third and fourth place respectively, ahead of winless El Salvador. Elsewhere, there were no surprises that USA finished first in Group B, ahead of hosts Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic in what became a four-team group after all of Argentina's fixtures had to be voided.

With the groups complete the knockout bracket is set, with the following to take place in the tournament's coming days:

Canada vs Dominican Republic

Puerto Rico vs Colombia

USA vs Virgin Islands

Brazil vs Venezuela

Check back here for updates on Canada's push for the AmeriCup crown.