2015 Summer Universiade: Canadians finish pool play undefeated with win over Mozambique

GWANGJU, South Korea (Team Canada) – The Canadian women's basketball team finished their preliminary round with a perfect 3-0 record after a 65-44 win over Mozambique on Tuesday.

Gwangju 2015 website: www.gwangju2015.com  

Team Canada website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/universiade/summer/2015/index

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For the second time at the tournament, the Canadians had a rough start and let their opponents set the tempo of the game. Canada was forced to deviate from their game plan and react defensively.

"We knew the game was a must win so we put a lot of pressure on ourselves and weren't playing our game," said Hamilton, Ont. native Karley Roser.

Canada dominated the boards in the first half but had a hard time controlling the ball as Mozambique scored 10 points on the Canadians 12 turnovers. At the half, Mozambique led the game by two, 29-27.

"We turned it over against a zone defense that we should have been able to handle," commented head coach Fabian McKenzie. "We tried to get the team ready but I think we took the game to lightly coming in. We learned from it and in the second half started playing our game and took back control."

In the second, the red and white regained their composure and took control of the game playing with a higher tempo and finer defensive skills. Their renewed sense of power guided them to out-score Mozambique 22-6 in the third quarter. They shot an efficient 67% from the field in the fourth quarter and finished the game out-rebounding their opponents 46-24.

With a first place finish in their pool Canada will now face the Czech Republic in the quarterfinal action on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. (5:00 a.m. ET). Canada faced the Czech Republic twice in their exhibition tour in China prior to coming to Gwangju and defeated them in both contests 

"We will need to make some adjustments as we have a different team that we did in China," said McKenzie. "We need to get focused and get prepared as it is difficult to beat a team three times. But we are going to be ready, they are going to be ready and I think it's going to be a great game."

Source: CIS