NURSE EXPLODES 29 POINTS AS UNBEATEN CANADA
TENERIFE, SPAIN – New York Liberty guard Kia Nurse tallied a game-high 29 points as Canada Basketball’s Senior Women’s National Team defeated Korea, 82-63, to remain unbeaten in FIBA World Cup play.
Leading Korea 8-3 midway through the first quarter, Canada used a 7-0 run to take a commanding 15-3 lead. However, Korea briefly responded with a 4-0 run of its own cutting its deficit to just eight points at the end of the opening quarter.
Nurse began. “Coming out of the quick turnaround that we had from last night to this morning, we came out with the right energy and the right intensity and a focus that allowed us to get out early in transition and score a lot of points and defensively be disruptive.”
Canada exploded offensively in the second quarter, including a 17-0 run in which Nurse knocked down four consecutive three pointers on her way to 20 points in the frame. The Canadians entered halftime with a commanding 21-point lead, 45-24.
Despite multiple comeback efforts from Korea in the second half, Canada’s lead stood as it cruised to the 19-point victory.
Nurse’s 29 points came on 69-percent shooting. She also sank six attempts from distance on a 60-percent clip and generated four assists, three boards and two steals in 27 minutes.
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe finished with six points, six rebounds, one assist and two steals.
Following this victory, Canada will now face France on Tuesday in a first-place battle for Group A and a bye to the quarter-finals at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018. Fans can catch the action live on DAZN at 3:30 PM ET.
Kia Nurse and Team Canada
2017: In her first tournament of the 2017 season with the Senior National Team, she contributed significantly to the Gold Medal win at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. She averaged 21.1 minutes per game, and 10.5 points per game along with 2.2 rebounds per game.
2016: Member of the Rio 2016 Olympic Team who placed 7th in the tournament; was the top performer in the game against Serbia scoring 25 points; averaged 11 points per game, 2.3 assists and 25.6 minutes Played 3 games with the Senior National team in the USA Showcase exhibition tournament, averaging 26.4 minutes and 5.3 points per game.
2015: Member of the 2015 Pan American Games team that won Canada’s first ever gold medal. Averaged 25.5 minutes and 12.8 points per game. Finished 3rd in scoring , 7th for made free throws, 8th in three pointers, and top 10 in assists for the tournament. Played in three exhibition games in Spain averaging 20.33 minutes and 8.0 points per game. Played in three exhibition games in France averaging 27.52 minutes and 11.0 points per game. Helped the SWNT achieve gold at the FIBA Americas, qualifying for Rio 2016 Olympics… Named MVP of the tournament…Averaged 25.3 minutes and 13.0 points per game
2014: Second year playing on the Senior Women’s National Team; averaging over 20 minutes in 8 exhibition games; averaged 6.3 Points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game in the Turkey exhibition tournament…averaged 6.7 points per game in the Czech exhibition tournament…Started in all 7 games at FIBA Worlds averaging 6.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.
2013: First year playing on the Senior Women’s National team and competing in all exhibition tournaments and games leading up to FIBA Americas as well as playing in all FIBA America games. Averaged 10 points, 24.67 minutes and 2.50 assists per game in the FIBA Americas tournament and helped solidify Canada’s spot in the 2014 FIBA Worlds Tournament.
2012: Member of the 2012 CWNT that competed at the FIBA U17 World Championships in Amsterdam where they won bronze…was the team leader and 6th overall in the tournament in points per game and …one of the team captains. Member of the 3×3 Team that participated at the 2012 3×3 Youth World Championships held in Spain.
2011: Member of the 2011 U16 Cadette National Team that took part in the U16 FIBA Americas Championships held in Merida, Mexico, placing 3rd.
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe and Team Canada
2018: Nayo played two games at the EGIC and contributed 13.0 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game and 2.0 assists per game.
2016: Member of the Rio 2016 Olympic Team, who placed 7th in the tournament; was the top rebounder in the game against USA, averaged 7.7 points per game, 6 rebounds and 22.5 minutes. Played 2 exhibition games in Spain averaged 17.7 minutes, 4.0 points and 5.0 rebounds. Played 3 exhibition games in France averaging 23.8 minutes, 8.7 points, and 5.0 rebounds. Played 3 games in the Edmonton Grads exhibition tournament, averaged 9.6 points per game and 20.8 minutes. Played 3 games in the USA Showcase tournament, averaging 5.0 points per game and 20.7 minutes.
2015: Member of the 2015 Pan American Games team that won Canada’s first ever gold medal averaging 10.5 minutes and 4.6 points a game. Played in three exhibition games in France and Spain. Helped the SWNT achieve gold at the FIBA Americas, qualifying for Rio 2016 Olympics.
2013: Played in all 4 exhibition tournaments and 2 exhibition games in Czech leading up to FIBA Americas 2013. First year playing with the Senior National team averaging 0.7 points, 7.19 minutes and 1.73 rebounds per game.
2012: Played in all 5 exhibition games with the Development Women’s National Team, averaging 13 minutes and 4 points per game.
2011: Was a member of the 2011 Development Women’s National Team that participated in the 2011 Summer Universiade where she averaged 16.1 minutes per game in the five games that the team played.
Canada roster for FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018
| Canada roster for FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 | |||
| Natalie Achonwa | Kayla Alexander | Miranda Ayim | Bridget Carleton |
| Shay Colley | Nirra Fields | Kim Gaucher | Ruth Hamblin |
| Miah-Marie Langlois | Kia Nurse | Michelle Plouffe | Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe |
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