SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Dec. 15, 2024) – Canada’s 3x3 Women’s National Team won their second-ever gold medal at the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2024, defeating Cuba and Brazil on route to the gold-medal game, where they defeated the USA in an overtime thriller.

Quarterfinals: Canada 21, Cuba 12

It was all Paige Crozon in Canada’s quarterfinal matchup against Cuba – knocking down seven shots from range, finishing with 15 of Canada’s 21 points to send the team through to the semifinals against Brazil.

It was a close and physical game, with Cuba on Canada’s heels. Kacie Bosch brought the lockdown defence the team needed to pull away, including two blocked shots against Cuba.

Once Crozon began to catch fire, the team did what they needed to do to feed her the ball, including crashing the glass to make sure they maintained possession of the ball. Katherine Plouffe, who provides size inside, finished the game with 11 rebounds.

It was still a close game at 12-10 with just four minutes to go – until bang – Crozon knocks down a two-pointer. 14-10. Bang – another at 16-10. Can’t stop, won’t stop. Crozon would knock down her seventh two of the game to give Canada the 20-12 lead. Plouffe finished it with a jumper to secure Canada's 21-12 victory.

Semifinals: Canada 18, Brazil 11

Canada’s semifinal matchup against Brazil was a show of defence to offence. Hamilton big Saicha Allen-Grant continued to be a tough matchup against Brazil’s offence, staying close to her man and making sure they weren’t able to score, including blocking a shot early in the game.

With the game tied at 3-3 to start, Canada was able to pull away, starting with Paige Crozon’s two-pointer from Kacie on the inside. Crozon, who also led in scoring during the first quarterfinal matchup, scored two straight buckets to give Canada the 7-3 lead.

A mix of jumpers and drives to the rim gave her eight points after ten minutes, and teammate Katherine Plouffe finished with double-digit rebounds (a team-high 13) for the second time of the day.

The game was physical as Brazil tried to find their rhythm again, but good ball movement led to an open two from beyond the arc for Crozon, giving Canada the 16-7 lead. It was a grind down to the final second, but Canada came out on top 18-11 at the buzzer, setting up a clash with their USA rivals.

Gold Medal Game: Canada 19, USA 18 (OT)

What better way to win your second gold medal at the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup than in a thriller overtime matchup?

“Feels great,” said Katherine Plouffe. “They were all the battles for sure…but we fought hard, and it's a lot of fun when you win.” Plouffe mentioned that playing overtime games can be challenging with the pressure, but she has fun nonetheless. 

In addition to winning the event in 2022, Canada’s 3x3 Women’s National Team has always placed third or above—and the team found itself back at the top of the podium.

Canada and the USA are longtime rivals, and this gold medal matchup was physical and back-and-forth.

Kacie Bosch was everywhere on defence, creating hustle plays left and right to put her teammates in the best position for success. 

Katherine Plouffe stole the show, finishing with a game-high 11 points and notched five rebounds in a clutch performance that saw her take the winning bucket in overtime.

Crozon remained a bright shooting spot for Canada, adding five points in the victory. Grant-Allen’s late bucket gave Canada the 17-15 edge with the clock winding down, but USA’s Abbey Hsu sent the game to overtime with a clutch two-pointer.

In overtime, Canada punched first with a bucket from Plouffe. USA’s Brittney Sykes responded with her own quick bucket – but Plouffe closed it out with a buzzer-beater winner, securing gold for Canada.

Crozon, named the tournament’s MVP, said she left Paris this summer feeling disappointed but hungry to improve. “I took some time to think about my gaps and where I want to improve,” she said. “If I'm being honest, the shots were falling this tournament, and that always feels nice.”

Crozon laughs as Plouffe says, “Yeah, they did!” 

A second gold medal at the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup for the 3x3 Women’s National Team means an exciting future for the program. “I think it continues to showcase not only the sport to Canadians but also that it's a high-level opportunity for girls to play for their country,” said Plouffe.

Plouffe, Crozon, Bosch, and Grant-Allen will take this gold medal home with an exciting future ahead of the program in Canada.