RESULTS

MONTREAL, Que. (Sept. 3rd, 2022) - The Canadian Women’s 3x3 Team went undefeated en route to winning the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Montreal stop. After going 2-0 on Friday, Canada defeated France, Dusseldorf ZOOS and then held on for a 19-18 thriller in a finals matchup against France U24 that included a 30-minute rain delay with 3:38 remaining.

Canada’s Paige Crozon was named Tournament MVP with 24 points scored in Montreal.

“It feels so unbelievable,” Crozon said of getting to play in front of a packed crowd in Montreal. “It’s not so often that you get to play in front of a home crowd wearing Canada across your chest. It’s a very proud moment. We appreciate all the support.”

Prior to the rain delay, the final between Canada and France U24 was hardly fought with neither team wanting to give an inch. Canada’s Katherine Plouffe had a game-high 12 points in the win as she gave Canada a two-point lead with four minutes remaining. With the two teams trading baskets throughout the game, Canada led by a point when the game went into a rain delay. After play resumed inside, the Canadians were able to pull out the victory to claim the series stop title.

Earlier in the semi finals matchup against Dusseldorf ZOOS, Canada had a dominant 21-8 victory behind a six-point, four-rebound performance from Crozon, seven points and six rebounds from Michelle Plouffe and six points and six rebounds from K. Plouffe.

Canada was 13-for-18 from inside the arc in the win while holding Dusseldorf ZOOS to just 4-of-11 field goals from inside the arc. Canada also owned the glass, outrebounding Dusseldorf ZOOs 21-8, while recording nine key assists.

Kacie Bosh opened the scoring with back-to-back buckets inside. After a bucket from K. Plouffe and then a two-pointer from Crozon, Canada led 6-0 with 7:40 remaining. A second lay-in for K. Plouffe made it 7-0 Canada before Ama Degbeon scored the first point of the game for Dusseldorf ZOOS.

A layup for Crozon gave Canada an 11-0 lead and then Crozon found K. Plouffe under the basket for the layup and the foul. After a free throw for K. Plouffe, Canada’s lead was 13-2 with 5:03 remaining. Dusseldorf ZOOS had no answer to slow the Canadian offence as a two-point shot from M. Plouffe at the end of the shot clock extended Canada’s lead to 18-5 with 2:46 remaining. After a layup from Crozon, K. Plouffe found M. Plouffe who sealed the victory 21-8 with 1:50 remaining on the clock.

In the team’s first game of the day against France, Canada notched a solid 20-13 victory behind a nine-point, seven-rebound, five-highlight performance from K. Plouffe and an eight-point, eight-rebound performance from M. Plouffe.

After the teams traded baskets to start, M. Plouffe hit a two-point shot to give Canada a one-point lead with 6:09 remaining. A bucket from Crozon, another two-point shot from M. Plouffe, and then a score inside from K. Plouffe had Canada in front 10-5 with 5:02 remaining.

France took advantage of Canada being in the penalty with seven fouls and attacked, trying to get to the free throw line. After free throws from Marie Michelle Milapie brought France within a point, 10-9, Canada was called for another foul, sending Romane Bernies to the line. She made one of two free throws, tying the game at 10 points with 3:30 remaining.

After an offensive rebound and putback from K. Plouffe, she sank a jumper while being fouled. K. Plouffe made her free throw, extending Canada’s lead to two points with three minutes remaining.

K. Plouffe scored again, this time on a drive to the rim to put Canada up three before Milapie scored for France to make it 13-11 with 2:37 remaining on the clock.

The Plouffe sisters continued to make things happen on the offensive end for Canada and then a huge block from Bosch ended with the ball in K. Plouffe’s hands, who was fouled. She made both free throws to put Canada in front 19-11 with 21.2 seconds remaining as France ran out of time to complete a comeback.

Up next for Canada’s 3x3 Women’s National Team is a spot at the Constanta Final on Sept. 17.

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