Canada's Kim Smith (8) is congratulated by Shona Thorburn, right, Courtnay Pilypaitis, center, and teammates after beating Brazil in a women's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, in London. Canada beat Brazil.
Canada's Kim Smith (8) is congratulated by Shona Thorburn, right, Courtnay Pilypaitis, center, and teammates after beating Brazil in a women's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, in London. Canada beat Brazil. Charles Krupa, Associated Press
By Deseret News

LONDON — Former Utah Utes women's basketball players Kim Smith and Shona Thorburn helped lift the Canadian women's basketball team to a 79-73 victory over Brazil on Friday, giving Canada a spot in the quarterfinal round at the London Games.

Smith scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds, while Thorburn chipped in 10 points dished out eight assists.

Canada held a lead through each of the first three quarters before Brazil tied the game at 55 at the start of the fourth quarter. The Brazilians briefly took the lead, but Canada rallied down the stretch, converting clutch free throws in the final minutes to preserve the victory.

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Canada (2-2) closes out pool play Sunday against Australia, with the quarterfinals beginning Aug. 7.

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