FIBA U17W - Double-doubles bring Canada bronze medal

AMSTERDAM (2012 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) – Emily Potter and Emma Wolfram registered double-doubles to lead Canada past Japan 84-77 in the Bronze Medal Game at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women.

Potter collected 17 points and 11 rebounds and Emma Wolfram added 15 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 assists while Kia Nurse picked up 14 points for the North Americans, who improved on their 11th place showing in the inaugural U17 tournament in 2010.

Japan finished fourth – one place better than two years ago – despite 27 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists from Yunika Nakamura. Ai Yamada had 12 points, Saori Miyazaki added 11 points and Evelyn Mawuli chipped in 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Canada came out strong and had a seven-point lead in the first quarter before the Japanese closed within 23-20 after 10 minutes.

The Japanese nailed three three-pointers in the second quarter in taking their first lead and expanding it to 11 points and went into the locker rooms up 51-40.

Canada picked up their defense and were much better offensively in putting together eight straight points in a 24-9 stretch to open a 64-60 gap. And the Canada lead was 68-63 after three quarters.

Natsumi Nagai and Nakamura both converted three-point plays and Mawuli’s put-back brought Japan within 72-71. But Canada responded with the next six points to effectively put the game out of reach.

FIBA