The Gliders overcame a nine-point deficit at halftime to prevail over Canada, 59-52, in their final Preliminary Round game in Birmingham, England tonight.

A monster effort from Canada’s Janet McLachlan, with a game high 23 points and 21 rebounds, was not enough to hold off the determined Australians.

Glider Kylie Gauci had a terrific all-round game to lead the Australians with 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals.

In a frenetic opening term the Canadians tried to assert their dominance from the outset their offence was centred around McLachlan but the Aussies had a number of dangerous players on offence and stayed in touch with Canada in the first quarter.

Down just two points at the first break, the Gliders’ shots started to go off target midway through the second quarter, allowing Canada to break away to a nine-point lead at halftime, 32-23.

The third quarter was an arm wrestle as the Gliders recovered to go basket for basket with the defending champions but the Australians still faced a nine-point deficit with only quarter to play.

Canada appeared to have the game in hand but a 14-0 run from the Australians wrenched back the game into the hands of the Gliders and they iced the game from the charity stripe as Canada threatened to close the gap.

The Australians advance to the Quarter Finals as the top seed from their pool, ahead of Canada on points differential. The Quarter Finals will be played on Wednesday July 14, game time tba. You can follow the game with a live video feed and LIVESTATS on the Tournament Website.

[Box Score]

Quarter by quarter:
1: CAN 14 AUS 12
H: CAN 32 AUS 23    (18-11)
3: CAN 44 AUS 25     (12-12)
F: AUS 59 CAN 52     (24-8)

AUSTRALIA 59 (K Gauci 15, S Chaplin 14, C Crispin 12) def
CANADA 52 (J McLachlan 23, T Ferguson 11, T Feser 9)
At National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England