Toronto, Canada -  Former Hofstra Women's Basketball star Lizanne Murphy and the Canadian Women's National Team won the gold medal at the Pan American Games with an 81-73 victory over the United States Monday night July 20. The gold medal was the first for Canada in Pan American Games history, on either the women or men's side. The women's best result was a silver medal in 1999. 

Murphy scored three points and added an assist in the win. She scored 12 points in Canada's 91-63 semifinal win over Brazil. Murphy scored 10 points in a preliminary win over Argentina and added 15 points and nine rebounds victory over Venezuela.

The tournament is a precursor to another important international competition next month. Canada will look to build momentum heading into the FIBA Americas tournament in Edmonton from Aug. 9-16, where the champion will qualify for a spot in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Canada entered the Pan American Games ranked 10th in the world.

Murphy is in her ninth season with Team Canada and had played 113 games for the national team entering the tournament, according to her official national team bio. She currently plays for the Angers in the French LFB. Her stellar international career includes a 2012 Olympic appearance, where she averaged 4.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in the London Games.

One of the top rebounders in the history of the Hofstra Women's Basketball program, Murphy finished her career with 988 rebounds and 1,245 points. Her rebounding total still ranks third in program history.