PARIS, France (August 27, 2022) -- The Canadian Women’s 3x3 team fell 19-18 to Düsseldorf ZOOS in the semifinals of the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Eaubonne Stop.

The loss came after Canada defeated France 18-16 in overtime to advance to the semifinal, and it came on a last-second two-point shot at the buzzer from Yuka Maeda to give Düsseldorf ZOOS the comeback victory.

Michelle Plouffe led Canada with 11 points and seven rebounds in the loss as she hit three two-point shots, as well as the shot that put Canada ahead 18-17 with nine seconds remaining. Aoi Katsura led Düsseldorf ZOOS with seven points, including three two-point shots.

Canada had an early four-point lead before two-point shots from Katsura and Jennifer Crowder tied the game at six points apiece with 6:01 remaining.  After falling behind 8-7 following a bucket from Crowder, Canada reeled off seven straight points to take a 14-7 lead in the game, including back-to-back two-point shots from Plouffe, as well as a two from Kacie Bosch, before Düsseldorf ZOOS began its comeback.

Canada led 17-12 with 1:57 remaining, but Düsseldorf ZOOS closed the game on a 7-1 run, tying the game on a two-point shot from Maeda with 48 seconds remaining. After Plouffe scored to put Canada in front 18-17 with nine seconds remaining, Maeda connected on her second consecutive two-point shot as time expired to complete the comeback and get the win.

In Canada’s first game of the day, they held on for an 18-16 overtime win against France behind another 11-point, seven-rebound effort from Plouffe, who recorded nine highlights in the game. Hortense Limouzin led France with seven points in the loss.

After Bosch scored the first point of the game, France responded with a two-point shot, which Plouffe matched, putting Canada in front by one. Plouffe found Bosch inside for a layup, and Canada led 4-2 with 8:32 remaining.

Canada scored the next five points of the game to go ahead 9-2 before Victoria Majekodunmi hit her second two-point shot of the game to get France within five. This kicked off five straight points from France to get back within two, 9-7, until Bosch hit a free throw with 5:46 remaining.

Plouffe then found Crozon for an easy lay-in to keep Canada in front by three. With the lead down to a point, Bosch found a cutting Traer under the rim and she was fouled. Traer made the free throw and then Plouffe scored on a drive down the lane put Canada back in front by three with 3:39 remaining. After back-to-back buckets for France, Canada’s lead was down to a point with two minutes remaining. Guapo tied the game with a layup with 1:31 remaining.

Traer found Plouffe for a layup, but Limouzin responded, tying the game again at 15 points. France took a one-point lead with 53 seconds remaining after Limouzin made a free throw.

A layup from Plouffe tied the game at 16 points and forced overtime.

After forcing France intop a shot-clock violation on their first possession of overtime, Plouffe found Bosch for an open layup. Plouffe was fouled grabbing her own offensive rebound off of a missed lay-in attempt. She sealed the victory, at the line giving Canada the 18-16 win.

The team is back in action next weekend with the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Montreal Stop, September 2-3, 2022. Fans can catch all the action streaming live on FIBA YouTube and Facebook page.