CanadaB次元官网网址檚 womenB次元官网网址檚 basketball team continues to pick up steam at the FIBA World Cup.

Bridget Carleton scored 19 points while Kayla Alexander grabbed 11 rebounds, and the Canadian women beat Japan 70-56 on Sunday to remain undefeated and clinch a berth in the quarterfinals.

B次元官网网址淭hat was a big game for us,B次元官网网址� Carleton said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a tough team, theyB次元官网网址檙e hard to play against, theyB次元官网网址檙e fast, they like to shoot the three-ball so itB次元官网网址檚 a tough matchup, but definitely good to come away with the win.

B次元官网网址淎nd it felt good to see some shots go in for me,B次元官网网址� she added with a smile.

Shay Colley added 13 points and seven rebounds, Laeticia Amihere finished with 10 points, six rebounds and five assists for the No. 4 Canadians (3-0). Carleton, a forward for the WNBAB次元官网网址檚 Minnesota Lynx, also had six rebounds.

Maki Takada scored 11 points to lead eighth-ranked Japan (1-3), the reigning Olympic silver medallists.

The Canadians next face Australia (2-1) on Monday, then wrap up the preliminary round against Mali (0-3) on Tuesday. Their victory on Sunday will mean avoiding the United States (3-0 in Group A) in the quarters.

B次元官网网址淚 am very proud of my players because we are growing up as a team,B次元官网网址� said head coach Victor Lapena. B次元官网网址淛ust congratulations to my players because today was a master class to have the control of the game, and itB次元官网网址檚 because they are very ready to do it.B次元官网网址�

Lapena, a Spaniard and longtime coach of that national program, was hired by Canada Basketball in January after the teamB次元官网网址檚 disappointing first-round exit at the Tokyo Olympics.

The Canadians, whoB次元官网网址檝e twice won World Cup bronze B次元官网网址� in 1979 and B次元官网网址�86 B次元官网网址� lost to Japan in World Cup qualifying a few weeks after the Olympics.

But the women have continued to mesh since gathering last month in Edmonton for World Cup preparations.

B次元官网网址淚 think weB次元官网网址檙e just seeing the benefit of all the time we put in over the last four weeks,B次元官网网址� Carleton said. B次元官网网址淎nd every game itB次元官网网址檚 a different challenge. Every single game, every team plays so differently. So, being able to adjust, trusting the coaching staff and what our scouting is on the defensive end, on the offensive end, it changes every single game, but we wholeheartedly believe in Victor and the coaching staff and what they want us to do.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 exciting to see the improvement,B次元官网网址� she added. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e getting used to playing with each other, how Victor wants to play, and I think it will just continue to get better.B次元官网网址�

Carleton scored CanadaB次元官网网址檚 first five points after the team went scoreless for the first four minutes. The CanadiansB次元官网网址� defence ignited their offence, and Canada took the lead for good, heading into the second up 20-12.

Japan sliced CanadaB次元官网网址檚 lead to three points with 4:17 left in the first half, but the Canadians closed with a 13-0 run to lead 41-25 at the break. CanadaB次元官网网址檚 smothering defence forced Japan into 10 first-half turnovers.

Canada kept up the momentum in the third quarter, and CarletonB次元官网网址檚 three-pointer with 1:19 to play sent the Canadians into the fourth with a 61-39 lead.

B次元官网网址淓very game we go into we think we can win,B次元官网网址� Carleton said. B次元官网网址淲e think we should win. Our goal is always to be on the podium so this is exactly where we want to be. 3-0. WeB次元官网网址檙e going to enjoy this, but get some rest and recovery tonight because we have one (Monday) again against the home crowd in a tough environment.B次元官网网址�

The Canadians opened the World Cup with a 67-60 win over Serbia and then beat France 59-45.

Australia defeated Serbia 69-54 earlier Sunday.

The Canadian Press

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