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Spain takes Group A with win over Canada

Astou Ndour’s big game earned Spain a Group A sweep and put Canada on the brink of elimination.

Canada v Spain Women’s Basketball - Olympics: Day 9
Spain’s Astou Ndour (right) guards Canada’s Kia Nurse.
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Chicago Sky’s Astou Ndour shone once again in the 2020 Olympics (20 points and 11 rebounds) as Spain’s women’s basketball team swept Group A with a 76-66 victory over Canada (1-2).

Spain led wire-to-wire and by as many as 20 points. Veterans Cristina Ouvina and Silvia Dominguez each reached double figure scoring with 15 and 12 points, respectively. Spain’s offense was firing on all cylinders as it shot 58.9 percent from the field.

Canada got as close as six points at multiple points but was never able to get any closer. Kia Nurse of the Phoenix Mercury scored a team-high 14 points while the Minnesota Lynx’s Natalie Achonwa had 11 points and six rebounds.

Canada’s 12 rebounds on the offensive end led to 17 second-chance points, which allowed Canada to fight, but Spain was too much in the end.

Spain was already guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals prior to the game. The loss puts Canada in “wait and see” mode as they must hope that results go their way to advance to the quarterfinals based on point differential.