CLERMONT-FERRAND, France (June 14, 2024) – Canada’s 3x3 Women’s National Team went 2-0 in Day 1 action at the FIBA 3x3 Women's series Clermont-Ferrand Stop in France on Friday.

Cassandra Brown, Paige Crozon, Katherine Plouffe and Mackenzie Smith are representing Canada at this stop as the Canadians opened play with a 21-18 victory against China U24 and then followed that up with a dominant 21-13 win against Austria to close out Day 1 action.
‍

In the first game of the day, Canada received a balanced scoring effort with Plouffe, Crozon and Brown scoring six points apiece while Plouffe also grabbed six rebounds. Plouffe and Brown each had seven highlights in the win as Canada survived a late push from China U24 to claim victory.

After a close start, the score was tied at six points apiece when Canada went on a 9-2 run to take a 16-9 lead with 4:19 remaining. A two-pointer from China U24, followed by a free throw, trimmed Canada’s lead down to four until Brown connected on a basket to make it 17-12 with 3:34 remaining. Back-to-back buckets from Crozon and Brown put Canada in position to claim victory with a 20-14 advantage with 2:11 remaining, but China U24 connected on a pair of two-pointers to get within two points, 20-18, with 1:12 remaining. With one minute remaining on the clock, Crozon scored on a drive to the basket to give Canada the 21-18 victory.

In Canada’s second game of the day, Crozon finished with eight points, Brown added seven and Plouffe hauled down nine rebounds as the Canadians defeated Austria 21-13. Canada dominated on the glass, grabbing 19 rebounds to just four total rebounds for Austria. The Canadians shot 13-for-18 from inside the arc compared to 5-for-9 from Austria.

Crozon opened the scoring for Canada with a drive, but Austria responded with a two-pointer from Inga Orekhova. A two-pointer from Brown gave Canada a 5-3 lead with 7:50 remaining and Canada wouldn’t trail again. A corner jumper from Plouffe extended the advantage to three points, while back-to-back buckets from Crozon, a block from Brown and an offensive rebound and putback from Plouffe extended Canada’s advantage to six points, 12-6, with 4:35 remaining.

After three quick points from Austria trimmed Canada’s lead in half, 14-11, with 2:44 remaining, Crozon scored on a baseline drive and Brown connected on a two-poointer to extend Canada’s advantage back to six points, 17-11, with 2:11 on the clock. A second two from Brown, followed by a drive and score from Smith gave Canada the 20-11 advantage. After another two-pointer from Orekhova, Crozon scored on an offensive putback to give Canada the 21-13 victory with 1:21 remaining on the clock.

Up next, the Canadians will open quarter-finals action on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT against Puerto Rico.