HANGZHOU, China (Sept. 7, 2024) - The Canadian Women’s 3x3 Team opened Day 1 action at the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Final in Hangzhou, China with a 2-1 record on Saturday.

Cassandra Brown, Paige Crozon, Katherine Plouffe and Michelle Plouffe defeated China U24 and Spain before falling to Italy in their final game of Day 1 action.

The Canadians started the day with a dominant 19-10 victory over China U24 behind an eight-point, five-rebound performance from Crozon. Katherine Plouffe added six rebounds as Canada outrebounded China U24 25-16 in the win.

Canada jumped out to a 10-0 lead as China U24’s first basket didn’t come until 5:23 remaining. After a two for China U24, Crozon responded with back-to-back offensive putbacks to keep Canada in front by nine, 12-3, with 3:17 remaining.

A two-pointer from Brown gave Canada a 16-6 advantage with under two minutes to play and then Katherine Plouffe scored to extend the advantage to 11 points and Canada went on to the victory from there.

Canada’s second game of the day was a 20-17 victory against Spain. Katherine Plouffe finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and six highlights in the win, while Vega Gimeno had 10 points to lead Spain in the loss as Canada held off a late push from Spain to secure the victory.

After trading baskets to start, a drive and score from Crozon moved Canada in front by one. Gimeno tied the game at four points apiece with a free throw and then made her first two-pointer of the game to give Spain a 6-4 advantage with 6:25 remaining.

Katherine Plouffe found Michelle Plouffe under the basket for an easy score and then it was Michelle Plouffe who found Katherine Plouffe to tie things up at six points apiece. Sandra Ygueravide scored to give Spain a 7-6 advantage, but Canada quickly reeled off a 6-0 run with back-to-back buckets from Michelle Plouffe, a two-pointer from Crozon and another bucket apiece from the Plouffe sisters to give Canada the 12-7 advantage with 3:55 remaining.

A corner two from Spain’s Juana Camilion cut Canada’s lead to three, but Katherine Plouffe drove to the basket and scored in response. Ygueravide drilled a two-pointer to bring Spain within two, 13-11, with 2:58 remaining, before Katherine Plouffe was fouled inside. After a free throw, Canada led by three, 14-11, until Gimeno hit her second two-pointer of the game to get Spain within one with 2:31 remaining.

Canada led by four, 17-13, but a pair of free throws and then a two-pointer, all from Gimeno, tied things at 17 points with 1:13 remaining. Canada closed the game strong with a bucket from Katherine Plouffe and then a two-pointer from Michelle Plouffe to secure a 20-17 victory.

Canada’s lone loss was an 18-15 battle against Italy in their final match of the day. Katherine Plouffe led all scorers with nine points and 12 rebounds as Canada outrebounded Italy 27-12, but couldn’t overcome eight turnovers and a 0-for-10 shooting performance from deep.

The Canadians lost despite taking an early 4-0 lead and going ahead by five after an offensive putback from Katherine Plouffe with 6:05 remaining. After trading baskets, Crozon scored inside to give Canada the 10-5 advantage with 3:34 remaining, but a two-pointer from Chiara Consolini brought Italy within three, 11-8.

Katherine Plouffe gave Canada another four-point advantage with 2:27 remaining, but a two-point play from Stefania Trimboli followed by a shot from Consolini brought Italy within one, 12-11, with two minutes on the clock.

Italy didn’t have any answer for Katherine Plouffe, who kept Canada in front by two, but Italy did connect on back-to-back two-pointers to go in front by one, 15-14, with 30 seconds remaining.

Katherine Plouffe scored inside to tie the game with 24 seconds remaining, but Trimboli scored the final three points of the game, sealing the victory with a pair of free throws with three seconds remaining.

Up next, the Canadians will take on China U23 in the quarterfinals on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 6:55 a.m. ET/3:55 a.m. PT.

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