June 25, 2010
Box Score
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Basketball.ca) - Canada's Junior Women's National Team (JWNT) continued their strong defensive performance against Costa Rica with a 74-18 win on Friday in their third game of round one of the FIBA Americas U18 Championship. Michelle Plouffe (Edmonton, Alb.)led the team again in scoring with 13 points while Cassandra Brown (Vernon, B.C.) and Melissa Mullins (Burlington, Ont.) each added 12 points.
The JWNT once again got off to a fast start outscoring Costa Rica 21-6 in the first quarter and were up 39-12 by half-time. The Canadians clamped down on the Costa Ricans as they held their opponents to just six points in the second half, allowing only one point in the third quarter.
Michelle Hidalgo led Costa Rica with seven points and had no players in double figures in points. The JWNT held their opponents to only 15 per cent from the floor while also forcing them to commit 22 turnovers. The Canadian's recorded 10 blocks, with four players blocking two shots each, and 14 steals, with Katherine Pluffe (Edmonton, Alb.)leading the team with 5 steals.
The junior women's squad also outrebounded Chile 65-19, 27 of which came from the offensive glass. Wumi Agunbiade once again led the team in rebounds with 14 while Katherine Plouffe and Michelle Plouffe grabbed 10 and nine rebounds each.
"Today we experimented, and used a variety of defenses. It was good preparation for what we may have to do over the next 2 days," said JWNT Head Coach Rich Chambers.
Offensively, the JWNT moved the ball well as 73.3 per cent of their 30 made field goals were assisted. Megan Lukan and Laura Dally led the way with four assists each. They outscored Costa Rica 32-10 in the paint, scored 15 points off turnovers and converted 27 offensive rebounds into 19 second chance points.
"We are excited to win today and finish 1st in our pool. We know it will be difficult in the cross-over game against Brazil or Argentina. I'm confident the girls will rise to the challenge and play their best basketball tomorrow afternoon." Added Chambers.
Canada finished first in Group B with a 3-0 record and is awaiting the winner of the Brazil - Argentina match this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. MT. The winner faces Canada in round two of the FIBA Americas U18 Championship tournament on Saturday at 7:45 p.m. ET (5:45 p.m. MT).
