ANKARA (Olympic Qualifying Tournament Women) - Canada will compete at the Olympics for the first time in 12 years after claiming the last precious berth for London courtesy of an impressive 71-63 success against Japan.
 
Canada led from tip to buzzer and was always in the box-seat after a dream 11-0 start which left their crestfallen opponent on the back foot although the eventual winners did have to survive a final quarter scare when Japan rallied strongly.
 
It was an excellent team performance by the Canadians, headlined by 21 points from Courtnay Pilypaitis who was handed the Tissot Canadian Player Of The Tournament award.
 
Japan had no answer to the sharp perimeter shooting of Pilypaitis and also Teresa Gabrielle with the duo sinking a combined five triples during the first half to help Canada maintain a useful 37-31 advantage at the interval.
 
Crucially, Allison McNeill's team didn't give up the kind of transition scores Japan usually thrives on and they were also dominant on the glass which made a significant difference.
 
When the third quarter started in familiar fashion with yet another outside score by Pilypaitis, it looked a long way back for Japan.

Then, when Shona Thorburn converted from downtown to make it 52-37 only minutes later, it looked all over.
 
But, that wasn't the case as Japan produced a fight-back reminiscent of their quarter-final efforts against Czech Republic. They produced a thrilling 14-2 run to make it a one-shot game during the fourth quarter and an exciting finale to the tournament.
 
As Canada threatened to implode and allow their coveted Olympic spot to slip through their fingers, Pilypaitis stepped up yet again from downtown to settle the nerves as they maintained their composure from the free-throw line to seal their place.
 
FIBA