LILLE, France (July 30, 2024) – The Canadian Women’s 3x3 Team opened their Olympics campaign with a dominant 22-14 victory over Australia in their first game of pool play in Paris on Tuesday.

Katherine Plouffe scored 10 points, and Michelle Plouffe added eight points and five rebounds as the Canadians came out on fire at Place de la Concorde. Canada shot 4-for-11 from beyond the arc, compared to Australia's 1-for-6 shooting performance from deep.

“I think [the atmosphere] exceeded [our expectations],” Kacie Bosch said. “This is one of the best venues, if not the most beautiful, that we’ve ever been in, and the energy of the Olympics is just a totally different beast. It’s so fun to have people from all over the world watching and cheering, so it's definitely been different and super fun.”

Michelle Plouffe hit a two-pointer to open the game and then Katherine Plouffe scored inside to give Canada a 3-0 lead. The Canadians built a quick 6-0 advantage as they held Australia scoreless until the 6:55 mark.

A corner two-pointer from Katherine Plouffe extended Canada’s advantage to 9-1 with 6:15 remaining. After a missed two from Michelle Plouffe, Crozon grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. After a made free throw, Canada led 10-2. Anneli Maley fouled Michelle Plouffe inside, putting Australia into the penalty and Canada took advantage, making 6-of-8 free throw attempts in the game.

Canada continued to push as Crozon scored inside while being fouled. She made both of her free throws to complete a three-point possession and move Canada ahead 15-2 with 4:45 remaining.

“It was important for us, no matter who we played, to come out and be aggressive, get our chemistry going, get the yips out (as Paige says),” Katherine Plouffe said. “It was good to be out on the court finally - we got here a week ago and we just wanted to get on there and play.”

Australia began to attack and tried chipping away at Canada's lead at the foul line, but they couldn’t slow the Canadians down on the offensive end as Michelle Plouffe drilled a two-pointer to bring Canada to 19 points. A basket from Katherine Plouffe brought Canada within a point of the win before Alex Wilson connected on a two to trim Canada’s lead to six, 20-14. Katherine Plouffe responded by ending the game with a two of her own to give Canada the 22-14 victory.

Canada’s second game of pool play will be against China on Wednesday, July 31, at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.