File photo of Team Canada beating China in last year's 3x3 final during the Edmonton stop on the Women's Series. (submitted photo/Paige Crozon)

By Ben Tompkins

Olympic Takedown

Crozon scores team-high seven points as Canada takes down number-one-ranked China

Jul 31, 2024 | 12:45 PM

Another day, another victory for the Canadian Women’s 3×3 Basketball Team.

On Day 2 of round-robin play, Team Canada was set to face arguably their biggest matchup of pool play, as number-one-ranked China was their opponent.

Coming off a 22-14 victory over the Australians yesterday (Tuesday), Canada was looking to stay perfect just two games in.

Meanwhile, it was China looking to do the same, however, they had to use a little extra gas the day before as they needed overtime to beat the host team France (21-19).

Just like Tuesday, it was those donning the Maple Leaf who landed the first punch, as a two-point shot from Paige Crozon opened the scoring, before she added another point on a drive to extend the lead to three.

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Crozon would be a part of the first six points for Canada, as she had a key assist on the team’s fourth point before hitting another shot (two-pointer) from long range.

Midway through the contest, the Canadians pushed their lead to 14-6, virtually burying the Chinese in a
deep hole.

Crozon’s clutch deep ball then put the game on ice as she put her club just one point away from victory (20-11), ahead of a wide-open layup by Michelle Plouffe to end it, who like Crozon, also finished with a team-high seven points.

The Canucks defence was once again staggering, as although China shot 45 per cent from inside the arc, they were a measly 13 per cent from outside.

Meanwhile, it was Canada who shot fairly lights out, as they were 54 per cent on one-point shots, 42 per cent from deep, and a perfect four for four from the free throw line.

The two-time defending 3×3 Women’s Series champions continue to prove their worth on the world’s biggest stage, as Humboldt native Paige Crozon and her fellow Canadians have five round-robin games remaining (Germany, France, USA, Spain, and Azerbaijan), before playoffs begin later in the day on Saturday.

A date with Germany is scheduled for 1:30 a.m. Saskatchewan Time on Thursday, before a clash with the hosts goes at 2 p.m. later that same day.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8