‍PARIS (August 3, 2024) – The Canadian Women’s 3x3 Team defeated Australia 21-10 Saturday night to advance to Monday’s semi-finals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

Kacie Bosch had a game-high nine points, nearly matching Australia’s team total herself, while Michelle Plouffe added four points, six rebounds and five highlights, and Paige Crozon added five points, including the two-pointer to end the game.

“My team always has confidence in me even when I don’t have confidence in myself, so I knew that they believed in me,” Bosch said of her best shooting performance in Paris. “I wasn't thinking [about previous games], and I just let it fly.”

Bosch finished a perfect 4-for-4 inside the arc while making 2-of-4 two-pointers. Canada was hot from deep in the win, making 5-of-8 attempts from two, compared to a 1-for-6 performance for Australia from two.

“We’re at the Olympics, and there’s a medal on the line, so we knew we had to play extremely tough and extremely disciplined in order to get past Australia because they’re so talented with so many amazing players,” Crozon said. 

After Crozon’s two-pointer sank through the net to secure the victory, the team celebrated together on the court while the emotions sank in.

“It’s such an emotional victory,” Crozon said. “Just to chase everything whole-heartedly makes you feel so vulnerable and open to all of the emotions that come with that, and we have had such an up and down tournament, so to play in the quarterfinals and to play our best, play in flow, play with one another, and have everyone contribute in such a big way just made me so proud of our team, our effort and all of the work and preparation that we put in to get to this point.”

Katherine Plouffe scored the game's first point at the free-throw line, and then Crozon drove the lane to make it 2-0 Canada. Bosch’s first two of the game extended Canada’s lead to three points, and then Canada’s defence forced a shot clock violation. 

A two-pointer from Crozon extended Canada’s lead to four (7-3) and Bosch made two more layups to build the lead. When Australia cut the lead to five, Bosch responded with another two-pointer to give Canada an 11-4 advantage. A two from Michelle Plouffe extended the lead to nine with 5:37 remaining.

"It’s been such an up and down journey for us, even in the [Olympic Qualifying Tournaments], we had some games we thought we could have played better and could have played better and then coming here, all of the games are so tough, we lost a few in OT, we’ve had some really tough, close ones, but our team never gives up on each other,” Bosch said. “It’s just amazing having this journey with them.”

Back-to-back shots from Michelle Plouffe and Katherine Plouffe extended Canada’s lead to double digits (17-7). After a miss from Crozon from deep, Michelle Plouffe grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled, making one of two free throws. After Katherine Plouffe found Bosch for another layup, Canada led 19-10 with 2:50 remaining, and Crozon sealed the victory with a two-pointer, wrapping up the game in just 7:36 minutes.

Earlier in the day, Canada defeated Azerbaijan 21-19 behind an eight-point effort from Michelle Plouffe and a five-point, eight-rebound performance from Katherine Plouffe. Tiffany Hayes led Azerbaijan with nine points and eight rebounds in the loss.

“I think we’re a very versatile team, and each [player] can do everything,” Crozon said. “We always rely on our defence and our discipline on defence, and so we just want to continue to build on that every single game we play.”

After Hayes opened the scoring, Michelle Plouffe connected on a two for Canada’s first points of the game. Things were close early, with the teams trading baskets and free throws, until Katherine Plouffe scored inside to move Canada in front by one, 10-9, with 6:15 remaining. A jumper from Bosch extended Canada’s lead to two. After getting the steal, Crozon’s attempt was off the mark, but she grabbed her own offensive rebound and scored, putting Canada ahead by three.

A huge two-pointer from Michelle Plouffe gave Canada a 19-16 advantage with 1:25 remaining. Despite a furious push from Azerbaijan, Canada remained calm.

Azerbaijan made a free throw and scored inside to cut Canada’s lead down to one. Hayes tied the game on a reverse layup with 45.5 seconds remaining, but Michelle Plouffe drove to the basket to give Canada a 20-19 advantage with 15 seconds remaining. After a miss from Hayes, Katherine Plouffe scored to beat the buzzer to give Canada the 21-19 victory.

Canada will now face Germany in the semifinals on Monday, Aug. 5, at 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT.