Team Canada led for 36:32 and never relinquished control after the opening quarter.

In this Group Phase game, Kayla Alexander topped the Canadians with 16 points points and six rebounds on 7 of 10 from the field. Gibb was 3-of-5 from the 3-point line in just over 18 minutes of play.

The decisive moment arrived in the first quarter. With 6:34 left, Alexander tied the game at 5-5 with a two-point jumper, then knocked down another from two with 5:56 remaining to put Canada ahead 7-5 for good. From 7:27 to 4:34 in the opening quarter, Canada outscored Senegal 9-3, connecting on 4-of-6 from the field without a turnover. Senegal managed just 1-of-6 in that same stretch, as Canada turned the early exchanges into a lasting advantage.

On the other side, Cierra Dillard led Senegal with 20 points, eight assists, four steals, and three rebounds, posting an efficiency rating of 22.

Canada’s biggest run came in the third quarter, when they put together a 10-0 blitz from 5:00 to 2:24, turning a narrow 48-47 lead into a 58-47 advantage. Faith Dut contributed two points and three rebounds during this stretch, helping Canada build a double-digit cushion.

Senegal’s most significant run was a 6-0 burst late in the second quarter, cutting the deficit from 38-27 to 38-33. Nogaye Diagne led this effort with six points and one rebound, providing a spark for Senegal before the break.

Canada’s largest lead was 17 points, achieved twice in the final quarter: with 3:19 remaining (70-53) and again with 24 seconds left (72-55). Senegal’s biggest lead was 2 points early in the first quarter, at 8:26 (2-0) and 7:27 (5-3).

Canada put this game to bed early with Alexander anchoring the paint and the perimeter trio of Gibb, Syla Swords and Yvonne Ejim providing balance, Canada controlled the tempo and the scoreboard. Senegal showed flashes, especially through Dillard and Diagne, but could not overcome Canada’s early surge and consistent execution.

Canada will take on the Philippines Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. MT.