Canada Conquer All in Edmonton - Women's 3x3 Report
Crowds were once again out in full force at the ICE Centre with expectations high after Canada saw big success on the first day in Edmonton, the latest stop of the 3x3 Women's Series.
Paige Crozon, Kacie Bosch, Michelle and Katherine Plouffe had booked their place in day two with ease and were now three more wins away from the ending they and the home fans wanted so much.
First up, Chile looked dangerous early on but a thunderous start did not phase Canada, who then went ten points without reply. Zimora Morrison got some points back for the Chileans, who still had a mountain to climb in order to get back into it.
Paige Crozon was on fire from beyond the arc, hitting a trio of two-point shots to finish the game, bringing her total to ten and ending the quarter-final with Canada victorious.
Their next opponents would be American either way, as the next quarter final tie was between USA and Under-24 teams. In the end experience won over youth, as the senior team outclassed their compatriots with a ten-point win.
Elsewhere China had to go into overtime in order to finally see off a tenacious German team, and by a single point, while conversely France made light work of Poland, winning their meeting by five.
When Canada returned to the court they held a narrow, early lead over the USA then dominated in the paint with a 7-2 run which saw them lead the Americans by six. The Plouffes remained in control of possession and converting low-post attempts, edging Canada closer to the win. With fifteen points and twelve rebounds between them, the Plouffes
The other semi-final tie was the most closely contested game of the entire weekend, with France and China not giving an inch to the other side. Ultimately it came down to last-minute looks from the Chinese, making them the final opponents for Canada.
Throughout a back-and-forth start to the final, China's agility and efficiency in the paint saw them hold on to a slender lead. Not wanting to let the home fans down, the Plouffe twins kept it a single-possession game and after getting it done from inside for so long, late heroics from Michelle from outside the arc would save the game and the tournament for the tournament.
A two from her sent the game to OT and once again it was she and Katherine who made the difference. Hitting the last two shots, they achieved the outcome they and everyone around them wanted - Canada were victorious in Edmonton.
At the end Paige Crozon had made the most two-pointers in Edmonton, while Michelle and Katherine Plouffe were in the top five scorers and top ten in rebounds.
Success at home will mean so much for the team, but it's now only a few days to see if they can follow up this win with another when they move on to the next tournament in Prague. Find more on the 3x3 Women's Series over on the official FIBA website.
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