LILLE, France (July 29, 2024) – The Canadian Senior Women’s National Team fell to France 75-54 in their first game of the Group Phase at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Monday evening.

Shay Colley and Kia Nurse scored 11 points apiece to lead Canada in the loss. France’s Marieme Badiane led all scorers with 13 points, and Gabby Williams added 12. Bridget Carleton had eight points, eight rebounds, two steals, and two blocks for the Canadians.

Holding an 18-15 advantage after the opening quarter, Canada was undone in the second, giving up a 22-0 run to France to start the quarter. France won the second quarter 23-2 and led 38-20 at the halftime break.

“In the first quarter, I think we were able to achieve the game plan, the defence we decided to play against them, and [we] knew the game,” Team Canada head coach Víctor Lapeña said. “Everything was working. But then a couple of turnovers, three turnovers, we [gave] them six, seven points. Very easy, I think, very easy points for them. And then once they got the 10 points up, it was very difficult for us to go. But we won the third period, reduced the distance, we tried.”

Canada played even with France outside of the second quarter but was unable to cut into the lead in the second half as France’s home crowd cheered their team on to victory.

“They were pretty aggressive,” Nurse said. “They took away easy shots and being able to have the [right] timing on a lot of our offence, so we have to be a little bit stronger with the ball.”

Canada shot 32 percent in the loss while giving up 43 percent shooting to France. The Canadians turned the ball over 25 times leading to 19 points for France, while getting outscored 36-14 in points from the bench.

“I think they just upped their pressure on the defensive end, and we didn't capitalize on not turning the ball over and just playing Canada basketball,” Colley said. Every possession counts. We need to really take care of the ball. We have to box out and rebound, and again, just play together on the offensive side of the ball.”

Canada’s lone field goal in the second quarter came on a layup from Carleton with 1:29 remaining in the half. Carleton opened the third by connecting on Canada’s first three of the game, and Colley also hit a triple to trim the deficit to 15. However, Williams quickly responded for France on the other end.

Kayla Alexander and Sami Hill each made free throws to bring Canada back within 15 points, and a drive from Nurse made it 46-33 with 5:07 remaining in the third.

Canada wouldn’t get any closer the rest of the way through after a bucket from Williams inside. France held a 17-point advantage, 53-36 after three.

“They pushed the ball and ran fast in lanes. We gotta be better than that; we are better than that,” Carleton said. “A lot of teams play that way, so we just gotta be better.”

France opened the final quarter with a pair of three-pointers to continue building their lead. Free throws and a three from Hill brought Canada within 17 points with five minutes remaining, but Canada ran out of time to try to make a final push.

Monday’s game was the fourth time that Canada and France had met at the Olympic games and the first time since Canada fell to France in the quarterfinal at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

The Canadians will next meet with Australia on Thursday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT.