(Toronto, Ont.) – The summer exhibition season continued for Canada’s Cadette Women (U17) in Nogent-sur-Seine, France, as the Canadians fell to their cross-border rival Team USA, 80-45.

Despite coming off a strong first half and trailing only 33-30 at the halftime buzzer, Canada faded down the stretch as the Americans made their final victory charge.

Toronto-born forward Julia Chandler came off of the bench to lead Canada’s scoring attack with 10 points, including 2-4 shooting from three-point territory. Canada had trouble keeping pace with Team USA, who boasted four players in double-digit figures, led by 14 points from Joyner Holmes.

While Canada’s execution kept them within striking distance of the lead for much of the game, it was the physicality of the Americans that would give CWNT trouble.

“We came out with more energy and focus tonight,” Coach Clark said of the team’s development. “We did a good job executing the game plan but got worn down in the second half by their athleticism and their ability to rebound [on offense]. Overall, there were some positive moments and lessons in this game.”

Team USA leveraged their size against Team Canada, corralling 19 of their own missed shots for second-chance opportunities, resulting ina 15-shot-attempt advantage.

Still, any opportunity to learn and improve against a traditionally dominant national program is an opportunity to grow as a team.

“We dug in and fought hard today,” said Eternati Willock of Scarborough, Ontario. “We didn’t get the result we wanted but we moved forward and got better. We hope we get the chance to play them again in the World Championship.”

The exhibition slate continues in France tomorrow as Team Canada looks for a win against Team China. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. EST.

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