Canada Women Basketball: Lose a tough one to Cuba

SEGOVIA, Spain – The Senior Women’s National Team opened play in the Torneo Segovia in Spain with a narrow 62-59 loss to Cuba on Saturday. This was the first game for the Senior Women’s Team as they prepare for the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship for Women, which will take place in Colombia in September.

Despite the loss, Head Coach Allison McNeill was satisfied with her team’s performance and is looking forward to a successful summer as her team progresses.

“For our first game together after only 10 days of training we are thrilled with where we are at and our potential with this team is outstanding. Great start to the summer,” said McNeill.

The team fell behind early and faced a nine-point deficit at halftime. However, the team made a late game push, but lost by three points.

“It was a first good performance. The fact that we were able to fight back and we never gave up shows great things for our summer ahead,” said National Team veteran Chelsea Aubry (Kitchener, Ont.).

For the Canadians, Shona Thorburn (Hamilton, Ont.), Lizanne Murphy (Beaconsfield, Que.) and Tamara Tatham (Brampton, Ont.) led the team with 10 points apiece. Defensively, Kim Smith (Mission, B.C.) led the way with 11 rebounds, while Michelle Plouffe (Edmonton) added five boards.

Canada plays host Spain on Sunday at 6 p.m. local time (noon ET). Spain beat Cuba 61-50 on Friday.

Curtsey of Basketball.ca