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Canada falls to USA in AmeriCup semi-final, will play for bronze on Sunday
SANTIAGO, Chile (July 5, 2025) — Canada's Senior Women's National Team fell to the USA 65-53 in the semifinals of the FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2025 at the Centro de Deportes Colectivos in Santiago, Chile.
The result sets up a bronze-medal matchup for Canada, which has medalled at seven of the last eight editions of the tournament. A podium finish remains within reach as the team looks to close strong on Sunday against the loser of Brazil and Argentina.
Despite the loss, Canada secured a top-four finish and, with it, a berth in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments in March.
The Canadians turned in one of their most disciplined defensive efforts of the tournament, holding the Americans to their lowest point total in Chile. Entering the contest, the U.S. had been shooting a tournament-best 47.4 per cent from the field, but Canada held them to just 35.4 per cent on Saturday. The game featured 13 lead changes and was a one-possession affair deep into the third quarter before the Americans pulled away late.
“We held them to 65. That’s something we can build on,” said head coach Nell Fortner post-game. “But we’ve got to score more. Twenty offensive rebounds and we didn’t turn that into enough points. We’ve got to find a way to finish plays and generate offence.”
Veteran forward Kayla Alexander delivered a milestone performance, recording 13 rebounds and a double-double — her ninth at the AmeriCup — to pass Brazil’s Erika De Souza for the most in tournament history since 2003. She now sits at 241 career rebounds at the event, just four shy of De Souza’s all-time mark of 244.
Alexander also etched her name atop another record: she now holds the all-time rebounding record for Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team with 441 career boards, passing Kim Gaucher (439). The 33-year-old achieved the feat in just 51 international appearances.
Reflecting on the loss, Alexander emphasized the importance of learning through adversity.
“I think everyone’s motivated to end on a positive note,” she said. “Some of the things that happened in these last few games are on us — and we need to look inward, take those learnings, and make the changes to get better. That’s how you grow. That’s how you gain experience.”
Canada will look to bounce back in Sunday’s bronze medal game. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. ET, 2:10 p.m. PT. live on Courtside 1891.
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