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Spain advances, sweeps group with 76-66 victory over Canada

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) - Astou Ndour scored 20 points and Cristina Ouvina added 15 to lead Spain to a 76-66 win over Canada on Sunday and a spot in the quarterfinals.

Spain (3-0) led by six at the half and scored the first nine points during a 16-2 run to begin the third quarter that blew the game open. Canada used a 9-2 spurt to start the fourth to get within 62-56, but could get no closer as Alba Torrens hit two 3-pointers to stop the run.

The Spaniards, who won the silver medal in the 2016 Rio Games, have now guaranteed they will avoid facing the United States until at least the semifinals.

'œIt was our first goal to be in the first position of this group,'ť Torrens said. 'œWe're happy with the feeling we got with these games.'ť

Now Canada (1-2) will have to wait to see if it advances to the next round. The Canadians, who had a chance to win the group if they had won the game by more than 10 points, had expectations of making the medal round coming into the Tokyo Games.

'œWe believe in ourselves and need to put it together,'ť said Canadian guard Bridget Carleton. 'œDefinitely will be scoreboard watching. Hoping and praying we can sneak in.'ť

The women's field will be pared from 12 teams down to the eight for the knockout stage with the quarterfinal games to be played on Wednesday. The winners of the three groups, plus the best second-place finisher, will earn top-four seeds. The other two second-place finishers and the best two third-place teams will be the bottom four seeds for the quarterfinals.

A draw will be held Monday night to determine the matchups.

Spain jumped out to a 23-13 lead after one quarter, but Canada cut its deficit to six at the half.

Kia Nurse scored 14 points and Laeticia Amihere, who is entering her junior year at South Carolina, had 10 points and six rebounds for Canada.

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Spain's Astou Ndour (45), center, holds the ball as Canada's Natalie Achonwa (11) questions the foul call during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press
Spain players celebrate their win in the women's basketball preliminary round game against Canada at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) The Associated Press
Spain's head coach Lucas Mondelo reacts during women's basketball preliminary round game between Canada and Spain at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press
Canada's Shaina Pellington (1) shoots a free throw during women's basketball preliminary round game against Spain at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press
Spain's Cristina Ouvina (5) celebrates during women's basketball preliminary round game against Canada at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) The Associated Press
Spain's Astou Ndour (45), is fouled by Canada's Natalie Achonwa (11) during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press
Spain's Astou Ndour (45) shoots over Canada's Kia Nurse (5) during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press
Canada's Kia Nurse (5), center, reacts after losing the ball during women's basketball preliminary round game against Spain at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press
Canada's Shaina Pellington (1) grabs a rebound in front of Spain's Laia Palau (9) and Astou Ndour (45) during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press
Canada's Laeticia Amihere (15) drives between Spain's Alba Torrens (7), left, and Maria Teresa Cazorla Medina (12) during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) The Associated Press
Spain's Silvia Dominguez (6), center, celebrates with teammates during women's basketball preliminary round game against Canada at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press
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