Canadian women’s basketball team falls to China in exhibition game

BRUSSELS – The Canadian women’s basketball team lost 69-60 to China on Friday in the opener of a five-game exhibition series.

Kayla Alexander of Milton, Ont., scored a game-high 17 points and added eight rebounds.

Miranda Ayim scored 13 points, while Jamie Scott had 12 for Canada.

China outscored Canada 23-10 in the second quarter to take a 39-23 lead at halftime.

Canada got the deficit down to six in the third quarter, but couldn’t get closer.

“China is a great team and they challenged us and showed us areas we need to continue to work on,” Alexander said. “Overall, although we didn’t get the results we wanted, I’m excited about our team and the weapons we have. Looking forward to us playing, growing and improving together as a unit against such great competition throughout this tournament.”

Canada faces host Belgium on Saturday.