Canada's Aaliyah Edwards (24) cheers for her teammates from the bench during women's basketball preliminary round game against South Korea at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

By The Canadian Press

Edwards has game-high 22 points, 15 rebounds as Canada drops 66-62 decision to Japan

Mar 15, 2026 | 12:42 PM

ISTANBUL — Aaliyah Edwards scored a game-high 22 points and added 15 rebounds as Canada dropped a 66-62 decision to Japan on Sunday at the FIBA women’s basketball World Cup qualifying tournament.

Edwards finished eight-of-11 from the field for Canada (2-2). Shay Colley and Kayla Alexander both added 12 points.

Mai Yamamoto led Japan (1-2) with 16 points.

The contest was a close one with Canada leading 21-18 after the first quarter before the two teams went into halftime tied 39-39. Japan took a 54-50 lead into the fourth which was the final margin of victory as both teams scored 12 points in the final quarter.

The loss was a big one for Canada. A victory would’ve automatically qualified the Canadians for the World Cup, which runs from Sept. 4-13 in Berlin, Germany.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 15, 2026.

The Canadian Press