XALAPA, Mexico -- Canadas womens basketball team took another step closer in its quest for a world championship berth. Kendel Ross scored 16 points to lead the undefeated Canadians to an 89-45 rout of Venezuela at the FIBA Americas Championship on Tuesday, assuring themselves a spot in the semifinals. But after three lopsided victories, Canada knows it faces a much tougher test Wednesday in Cuba for top spot in Group A. "They play hard when they need to and when they have a lead, they kind of coast," Canadas coach Lisa Thomaidis said of Cuba. "So we need to have some realistic impression of what theyre going to bring and overestimate what weve seen from them so far." Kim Gaucher, Kia Nurse, and Natalie Achonwa added 12 points apiece for Canada, while Tamara Tatham grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. The world No. 9-ranked Canadians opened the tournament with a 75-37 win over Jamaica, then cruised past Chile 93-51. The 14th-ranked Cubans have won by similarly lopsided scores, while Brazil and Puerto Rico have dominated the other side of the draw. The Canadians shot 47 per cent from the field against Venezuela, outrebounding their opponent 52-25, and outscoring them 16-4 on second-chance points. Still, Thomaidis wasnt pleased with her teams performance. "We just werent very sharp, our offensive precision was not there. We didnt think we brought a lot of defensive energy," Thomaidis said. "Its one of those tough games, the result should be a foregone conclusion. However you still want to maintain that level of intensity and energy heading into our most important game, which is (Wednesday)." The lopsided games have allowed Thomaidis to rotate her roster, giving key players such as Gaucher and guard Shona Thorburn some rest. The team had talked before the tournament began about the importance of maintaining their focus when theyre not playing. "When were on the bench, you have to be engaged, whether youre bringing energy by talking to your teammates or just cheering your teammates on," Ross said. "Thats really what you have to do, you have to stay in the game, you cant just be on the bench kind of looking around wondering whats going on in Mexico. You really have to keep yourself focused and be ready for your number to be called." Canada is gunning for its third straight world championship appearance, and needs to finish top three in Mexico to earn a spot in the 2014 world tournament in Istanbul. The semifinals are Friday, with the medal games scheduled for Saturday. Mike Montgomery Cubs Jersey . Thats how the Ravens won when Ryan was their defensive co-ordinator from 2005-08, and that is precisely the formula Baltimore used to beat Ryans New York Jets on Sunday. Ryne Sandberg Jersey .com) - Eric Fehrs goal 42 seconds into overtime lifted the Washington Capitals to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Columbus, halting the Blue Jackets seven-game win streak. http://www.cubsauthentic.com/cubs-brandon-morrow-jersey/ . "I wasnt waving the pom-poms to be involved with it to start with," Carlyle said after a 5-2 win over Carolina on Sunday night. "Its been a trying time. "Specifically we havent played as well as wed like to hang our hat on. Kosuke Fukudome Cubs Jersey . Kansas City became the first team in baseball history to win four extra-inning games in a single postseason on Friday, as Alex Gordon crushed a leadoff homer in the 10th and Mike Moustakas added the deciding two-run blast in the Royals 8-6 win. Greg Maddux Jersey .com) - A pair of Eastern Conference rivals will meet on Saturday as D.Goaltender Tomas Vokoun is making strides to return to the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup. According to Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Vokoun practiced with the Penguins on Wednesday and declared himself ready to compete. "Im medically cleared to do anything I need to for my job,"; Vokoun said.dddddddddddd The 37-year-old has yet to play this season after being diagnosed with a blood clot in September. Vokoun posted a 13-4 record in the 2013 season in a back-up role to Marc-Andre Fleury. He also posted a 6-5 playoff record between the pipes for the Penguins. ' ' '