ISTANBUL (March 11, 2026) — Canada erased a 19-point deficit and briefly took the lead late in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell 71-69 to host Türkiye in its opening game of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament on Wednesday at the Turkcell Basketball Gelişim Merkezi in Istanbul.
The game, a tightly contested affair from start to finish, showcased Canada’s resilience despite a slow start. Türkiye’s early dominance forced Canada to battle back, a test of character they nearly passed. The loss doesn’t eliminate Canada from contention, but it does place added pressure on their remaining games in the tournament.
Bridget Carleton led all scorers with a game-high 24 points, adding three rebounds and two assists. Yvonne Ejim provided a significant boost off the bench with 13 points and nine rebounds, shooting five-for-eight from the field. Ejim’s interior presence was crucial in Canada’s attempt to close the gap.
Canada found themselves in early trouble as Türkiye built a commanding 43-24 lead early in the second quarter. The Canadians responded with a 16-4 run to trim the deficit to single digits, injecting some life into their offense. This run demonstrated Canada’s ability to adjust and fight back, even when facing a substantial disadvantage.
“It was obviously a tough game, but I’m proud of our fight and our resilience to secure back into the game,” said Carleton, according to the FIBA report. “Shots weren’t falling in the first half and our offense was a little chaotic, but we stayed together, made it a tight game, and gave ourselves a chance to win.”
Türkiye controlled the paint, scoring 36 points in the lane compared to 26 for Canada. Although, the Canadians countered with strong perimeter defense and timely shooting, limiting Türkiye to just two of 16 attempts (12.5%) from behind the arc, while connecting on eight of their 22 three-point tries (36.4%). This perimeter defense was a key factor in keeping the game within reach.
Both teams received 20 points from their benches, with Ejim leading the Canadian second unit. The contributions from the reserves proved vital in maintaining energy and providing scoring options throughout the game.
After trailing for almost the entire contest, Canada finally took the lead with 3:59 remaining in the fourth quarter. Shaina Pellington finished a transition sequence following a steal by Aaliyah Edwards, giving Canada a 64-63 advantage. This brief lead sparked excitement and a renewed sense of possibility for the Canadian team.
Head coach Nell Fortner emphasized her team’s resilience after the comeback attempt. “I was really proud of our effort to get back in the game,” Fortner said, as reported by FIBA. “We were down 19 and it took a really physical battle to get back in the game, but we never lost our fight. That’s a really positive thing.”
With little time to dwell on the result, Canada quickly turns its attention to its next match. The quick turnaround presents a challenge, but also an opportunity to immediately respond and build momentum.
“We’ve got to turn the page quickly,” added Carleton. “We play again in less than 24 hours against a very good Hungary team that won today. We’ll learn from this game and be better tomorrow. That’s what makes these environments challenging – we’ve been in this situation before and we know how to react.”
Canada will be back in action against Hungary on Thursday at 10:30 AM ET / 7:30 AM PT, live on TSN. This game represents a crucial opportunity for Canada to secure a victory and improve their standing in the qualifying tournament. Fans can also follow live stats and updates on the FIBA website: https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026-qualifying-tournament-istanbul-turkiye/games/128102-CAN-TUR
The loss to Türkiye underscores the competitive nature of the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament. Every possession matters, and the ability to overcome adversity will be key to success. Canada’s performance against Hungary will be a telling sign of their ability to bounce back and contend for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
For those unfamiliar, the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup is a quadrennial international competition featuring the best national teams from around the globe. Qualifying tournaments like the one in Istanbul are essential for determining which teams will earn a coveted spot in the final tournament. The stakes are high, and the competition is fierce.
The Turkcell Basketball Gelişim Merkezi in Istanbul hosted 1,585 fans for the game, creating a lively atmosphere for both teams. The home-court advantage clearly played a role for Türkiye, but Canada’s resilience demonstrated their ability to compete even in challenging environments.
Looking ahead, Canada will need to focus on improving their interior defense and rebounding to match Türkiye’s physicality. They will also need to maintain their perimeter shooting efficiency and capitalize on opportunities to create fast-break points. The game against Hungary will be a valuable test of their ability to implement these adjustments.
The officiating crew for the game included Julio ANAYA (PAN), Wissam ZEIN (SYR), and Nicolas ZIVIERI (BRA), with Nina BASOVIC serving as the Commissioner/Technical Delegate. The presence of experienced officials ensured a fair and competitive contest.
Key Takeaways:
- Canada demonstrated impressive resilience, overcoming a 19-point deficit.
- Türkiye’s dominance in the paint proved to be a decisive factor.
- Bridget Carleton’s scoring performance was a bright spot for Canada.
- The quick turnaround to face Hungary presents a significant challenge.
Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament. We’ll have live updates, analysis, and exclusive interviews as Canada continues its quest for a spot in the World Cup.
What did you think of Canada’s performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
