File photo of Team Canada and Team USA competing in the FIBA 3x3 Women's Basketball Series (submitted/Paige Crozon)

By Ben Tompkins

Rivalry Matchup

Canada loses on OT buzzer-beater to USA

Aug 2, 2024 | 12:12 PM

The Canadian Women’s 3×3 Basketball Team has fallen to 3 and 2.

Earlier Friday morning, it was a classic rivalry between Canada and the USA that went down to the wire.

The Canucks held a 16-14 lead with less than 30 seconds remaining, however, Hailey van Lith hit a huge two-point-shot with 22 seconds to go to tie the game and send it to overtime.

Just seven seconds into extra time it was Canada who would take the lead on a Katherine Plouffe wide-open layup, which was beautifully set up by her sister Michelle.

Unfortunately, for the Canadians however, it was Rhyne Howard who came up with arguably the biggest shot of the tournament so far, as a side-step, step-back long-ball from the corner, just before the shot clock expired, went perfectly swishing through the net, ending the game on a virtual buzzer-beater by a score of 18-17.

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With the win, the States team picked up their third-consecutive victory and second of the day, as they’ve now improved to a record of 3 and 3.

They sit in fifth place in the eight-team pool with one round-robin game remaining on their schedule, which will be Saturday against the number-one-ranked Chinese, although China is just 2 and 4 so far.

The top six will advance to the quarterfinals with the top two teams earning a bye straight to the semis on Monday.

As for Canada, they have fallen to 3 and 2, after starting the Olympics a perfect 2 and 0. The Canadians currently sit in third place in the standings, however, a win over Spain later today (1 p.m. Sask Time) would move them into a tie for second with Australia (4 and 2) and officially clinch them a spot in at least the quarter-finals.

Tie breakers will first be determined by total points scored. If both teams have the same record and point total then the head-to-head matchup will determine the seeding. Spain also has a 3 and 2 record.

In the contest against the Americans, Humboldt native Paige Crozon was limited to just three points on 50 percent shooting.

The ladies donning the Maple Leaf will wrap up their round-robin schedule tomorrow (Saturday) at 10 a.m. Saskatchewan time, against Team Azerbaijan who is currently clinging to the final playoff spot with a record of 2 and 4.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8