After a so-so start, France just went all out on both ends of the floor starting the second quarter on the way to the win in front of the home crowd at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium.
France leaned on a dominant second period to open its Olympic Games Paris 2024 women’s basketball homestand with a 75-54 win over Canada on Tuesday, July 30 (Philippine time).
Madieme Badiane led the Les Bleues’ balanced assault with 13 points and six rebounds in Group B action.
Gabby Williams turned in 12 points, three rebounds, eight assists, and five steals, while Leila Lacan, Marine Johannes, and Valeriane Ayayi chimed in seven points each.
Save for Janelle Salaun, all members of the French team scored in their opening win at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium.
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After a so-so start, the home team turned it up on both ends of the floor and outscored Canada, 23-2, in the second to take a commanding 38-20 lead at the break.
While France was pretty much in control from there, Canada had its moments.
Behind Sami Hill, the North American squad tried to whip up some magic in the fourth period.
Hill scored five points, before Bridget Carleton and Kia Nurse capped the 11-2 run with a three-pointer to cut into what was a 23-point deficit, 63-47.
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France, though, didn’t let that the momentum shift go on, responding with six straight to bring the lead back to 22, 69-47.
Canada, which committed 25 turnovers, just couldn’t do anything to salvage the match.
Nurse and Shay Colley paced Canada with 11 points apiece. Carleton and Hill combined for 15.