ANKARA, Turkey - Canada defeated the Czech Republic 91-71 on Wednesday to reach the quarter-finals at the FIBA women's world basketball championship.

Kim Gaucher of Mission, B.C., led Canada with 17 points and Nirra Fields of Montreal added 15 points.

Canada led 22-13 after the first quarter and 44-32 at the half before pulling away in the fourth quarter.

Canada will face Australia on Friday.

The Czechs reached the final of the 2010 world championship before falling to the United States. Canada finished 12th at that tournament.

Canada is making its third consecutive women's world championship appearance.