(Paris) Twins Katherine and Michelle Plouffe combined for 18 points to help Canada open its run in the women’s 3×3 Olympic basketball tournament with a 22-14 victory over Australia on Tuesday.
Katherine Plouffe scored 10 points and added three rebounds, while Michelle Plouffe led Canada with five rebounds to go with her eight points.
Canada took a 15-2 lead and was never caught again.
It’s all about defense. It was important for us to slow down our opponents, get rebounds and focus on defense, and that was our game plan. A lead like that is huge. It’s a testament to all the work we’ve done.
Michelle Plouffe
The Plouffes, who are from Edmonton, were accompanied by Paige Crozon (four points, four rebounds) and Kacie Bosch (two rebounds).
PHOTO DAVID GRAY, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Katherine Plouffe scored 10 points and added three rebounds, while Michelle Plouffe led Canada with five rebounds to go with her eight points.
Alex Wilson scored six points and added six rebounds for Australia.
The Canadians got their revenge after being beaten by Australia in an Olympic qualifying tournament in Japan in May. The loss forced Canada to book its spot in Paris at a last-chance qualifying tournament in Hungary.
“We had a tournament a few weeks ago and they beat us twice. We had a very solid game plan. We watched those games to make sure we were ready. They are a very strong team and we knew we had to be ready,” Crozon said.
“The most important thing now is recovery, to keep our bodies fresh for the rest of the tournament.”
Canada will next play against China on Wednesday.