After a disappointing start to Olympic group play with an emphatic loss to France, the Canadian women’s basketball team has much to prove on Thursday against Australia.
A loss was one thing, but losing by 21 points in a tournament where point differential could make the difference between heading home or moving on was not an ideal start. The silver lining for the Canadians was that outside of a nightmarish second quarter when they were outscored 23-2, the score was even through the other three frames.
Meanwhile, the Aussies are hoping for a bounce-back of their own following a stunning loss to Nigeria in their first game of group play. A 13-point defeat for the No. 3-ranked team in the world was not what most had in mind, let alone against the 12th-ranked squad.
That brings us to Thursday where it’ll be a battle between two desperate teams — both Canada and Australia needing a win to regain some control in Group B standings.
Here are the key moments from the game.
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First quarter
End of the first quarter: Australia 18, Canada 16
• 0:01 – With the clock winding down, Carleton penetrates and kicks to Achonwa who knocks down a jumper from the left baseline to cap off a 5-0 run by Canada to end the frame.
• 3:06 – Carleton knocks down her second three of the first quarter. A timely bucket for Canada, it’s first in nearly three minutes. 14-11 Australia.
• 4:17 – Alexander denies Lauren Jackson in the paint not once but twice! 11-8 Australia.
• 8:47 – Carleton breaks the stalemate with a three for the game’s first basket. A welcome sight for the sharpshooter after her slow start and two-of-six shooting performance from distance against France.
• 10:00 – We’re off! Australia wins the opening tip
Pre-game
• Canada is sticking with the same starting five of Shay Colley, Bridget Carleton, Kia Nurse, Natalie Achonwa and Kayla Alexander.
• Canada is 3-0 against Australia at these Olympic games, with wins in 5×5 men’s basketball, 3×3 women’s basketball and a stunning upset in women’s rugby sevens. Will the No. 5-ranked Canadian women make it 4-0?