OLYMPIC TEAM ENDS A MEMORABLE RIO RUN
France edges past Canada in quarter final
RIO DE JANEIRO (August 16, 2016) – Team Canada's memorable Olympic run reached its conclusion on Tuesday night with a 68-63 women's basketball quarter final loss to France at Carioca Arena.
Canada's starting lineup featured Miah-Marie Langlois, Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, Kim Gaucher, Tamara Tatham and Miranda Ayim. Click here for full team roster.
Captain Gaucher had 15 points to lead five Canadian players in double-digit scoring. Kia Nurse came off the bench for 11 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Tatham contributed 10 points, five rebounds and four assists. Sandrine Gruda had a game-high 10 rebounds and was France's top scorer with 14 points. For game boxscore click here.
“We lacked a little bit of experience at the end,” Canadian head coach Lisa Thomaidis said. “We forced up some tough shots we didn't need to, and we had a hard time learning our lessons throughout the tournament.”
Canada and France battled tooth-and-nail to the very end, in a back-and-forth match-up reflective of two teams finished group play at the Olympics with identical 3-2 records.
Canada hit its first three three-pointers of the game, seizing an early 14-7 advantage. After France pulled back within two points, 16-14, the Canadians finished the first quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 25-16 lead. Langlois was on fire in the opening period, scoring eight points while shooting 3/3 from the field, including a pair of triples.
Team Canada built is lead to 29-16 early in the second quarter before hitting a dry spell as France scored 10 straight points to cut Canada's advantage to one with more than four minutes remaining before halftime. Canada answered, by closing the period with an 8-4 run that included four points from Gaucher, and took a 37-32 lead into the break.
“We got into foul trouble, they were in the bonus with seven minutes left in the second quarter and I think that brought them back into the game,” Gaucher said. “I think we could have been up big at that point, but they got so many shots at the free-throw line that we just gave away free baskets.”
France scored the first six points of the third quarter and grabbed ts first lead, 38-37, since the early moments of the game. From there the teams traded leads, and ended the period deadlocked at 50-50.
That trend continued throughout the final period. Raincock-Ekunwe hit a free-throw to make the score 60-59 in favour of France with 1:58 remaining, but Canada was unable to get closer as France finished on an 8-4 run.
France advances to play Team USA, the five-time defending Olympic champions, on Thursday. For the complete Olympic basketball schedule click here.
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CANADA FALLS TO SPAIN IN GAME 5 OF RIO 2016 GROUP PLAY
Canada finishes 3-2, will play France in the quarterfinals
RIO DE JANEIRO (August 10, 2016) – The Women's National Team finished third in Group B at the Rio 2016 Olympics after falling to Spain 73-60. Canada will play France on Tuesday, August 16.
"It's a long tournament and we just have to leave this one behind us. We have to be at our best come the game against France," said Lisa Thomaidis, head coach of the Women's National Team.
"France is an opponent we know very well. We've played them a number of times over the last few years and we'll be well-prepared for them."
The starting line-up for Canada was Miah-Marie Langlois, Kim Gaucher, Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, Tamara Tatham and Miranda Ayim. For full team roster, click here.
Nirra Fields led Canada in scoring with 14 points while also grabbing four rebounds. Spain was led by Alba Torrens, who scored 20 points with five rebounds. For full box score, click here.
With second place on the line, both teams came out with intensity. Spain was physical and won the early rebounding battle to set up putback opportunities. Canada's offence had its moments in the quarter, with excellent ball movement leading to shots at the rim. After one quarter, Spain led 17-16.
Canada's early offensive success dried up in the second quarter. Behind strong rim protection, Spain went on a 9-4 run over the first six minutes of the period. But a Raincock-Ekunwe lay-up provided a spark on offence and Canada clawed back to keep the quarter even until Spain hit a three at the buzzer. Spain led 33-29 at the half.
Spain's 12-2 run through the middle of the quarter put Canada down 12. Turnovers by the Canadian squad led to easy scores for Spain. Nurse, Achonwa and Fields came off the bench to key a pair of 6-0 runs, bringing Canada back within 2. Heading into the fourth quarter, Spain led 49-47.
Canada held the momentum going into the final period, but Spain quickly grabbed it back. The Spanish dug in and stymied Canada's attack, holding them scoreless for the opening five minutes of the quarter. The team would not back down, increasing the tempo to try for a comeback. The effort was not enough and Spain won 73-60.
The Women's National Team looks ahead to the quarterfinals, where they will play France on Tuesday, August 16 live on TSN. Game time is to be determined, follow @CanBball for updates.
For the complete Olympic basketball schedule click here.
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CANADA SHOWS DETERMINATION AGAINST DEFENDING OLYMPIC CHAMPS
Strong defensive performance holds Americans to fewest points since 2008
RIO DE JANEIRO (August 12, 2016) – Playing without fear and with admirable determination, Team Canada delivered a strong defence performance in an 81-51 loss to the five-time defending Olympic champion United States in Group B action at the 2016 Rio Summer Games.
Canada's starting lineup included Miah-Marie Langlois, Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, Kim Gaucher, Tamara Tatham and Miranda Ayim. Click here
for full team roster.
Ayim led Team Canada with eight points, while Nirra Fields came off the bench to score seven, and Raincock-Ekunwe contributed six points and a game-high eight rebounds. Team USA got 12 points apiece from Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi. For game boxscore click here
.
Team USA (4-0) takes over sole possession of first place in Group B, while Canada (3-1) is now tied with Spain (3-1) for second spot. Canada concludes its Group B schedule against Spain on Sunday.
“They keep this very well in perspective,” Canadian head coach Lisa Thomaidis said of her players. “They know what this is all about and our eyes are firmly focused on a very tough Spanish team. That's a game that has some meaningfulness to it for us and we'll be ready for them.”
Eighty-one points equals the fewest Team USA has scored in its last 13 Olympic games, dating back to 2008, and is more than 30 less what the Americans averaged through their first three matches in Rio.
Canada got off to a strong start, jumping to a 7-4 advantage and leading 9-8 less than four minutes into the game. After one quarter, Team Canada trailed just 18-16 with Raincock-Ekunwe recording four points and four rebounds in the opening period.
Team USA out-scored Canada 15-3 over the first 9:21 of the second quarter before Fields converted a big three-point play by scoring inside and drawing the foul. At halftime, the Americans led 26-22.
The United States built its lead to 47-27 midway through the third quarter before Canada answered with a 5-0 run punctuated by a Fields' three-pointer. Team USA then closed out the period on 13-4 run to take a 60-36 advantage into the fourth.
Canada meets Spain at 4:45 p.m. EST on Aug. 14. Visit
Canada played hard to the finish, scoring eight points in the game's final 2:39, including five in a row from Ayim.olympics.cbc.ca
tor TV broadcast details and to watch the live stream of the game.Canada played hard to the finish, scoring eight points in the game's final 2:39, including five in a row from Ayim.olympics.cbc.ca
For the complete Olympic basketball schedule click here.
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Canada moves to 3-0 at the 2016 Rio Olympics with win over Senegal
The Rio Games are Canada’s best start ever at the Olympics
RIO DE JANEIRO (August 10, 2016) – The Canadian Women’s National Team is undefeated at the 2016 Rio Olympics after defeating Senegal 68-58. The win means this is Canada’s best result in Olympic group play, beating their previous best of 2-4 at the 2012 London Olympics.
“Senegal’s a tough team to play, we anticipated that coming in. They were going to give us some difficulty with their physicality and athleticism so we’re happy to come out with the win,” said Lisa Thomaidis, head coach of the Women’s National Team.
Tamara Tatham scored 13 points with 10 rebounds in Canada’s third-straight win. Kia Nurse scored a team-high 14 points. For full box score, click here.
Canada's starting lineup included Miah-Marie Langlois, Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, Kim Gaucher, Tamara Tatham and Miranda Aym. Click here for full team roster.
Canada’s third game at the 2016 Rio Olympics started off as a defensive showing, with Senegal leading 2-0 after three minutes of play. A Kim Gaucher lay-up would kick-start the Canadian offence. The squad was relentless in attacking the rim, earning eight free throws. Canada led 17-10 after 10 minutes.
The second quarter played out much like the first. Canada went on a 7-0 run after a slow scoring start to the period, prompting a Senegal timeout. Senegal would bounce back and trim their deficit to six, but Canada created some transition scores to finish the quarter with a 33-24 lead.
Canada maintained the first half’s defensive intensity but found their offensive rhythm in the third quarter. Back-to-back threes from Langlois and Gaucher created space for others to cut, leading to shots at the rim. Canada’s 12-4 run through the middle of the third quarter was key. The squad held a 55-41 advantage after three quarters.
Senegal would attempt a comeback of their own in the fourth quarter. They would trim the deficit to seven, but Canada steadied after a timeout with three minutes left. A Nurse steal and layup with just over 90 seconds left sealed the result.
“At the end of the day, it’s great to be 3-0 at the Olympic Games. I think we have a lot that we can improve upon after that game,” said Kim Gaucher.
Canada’s next game is against the USA on August 12.Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. EST and the game will be on TSN. For the complete Olympic basketball schedule click here.
Tamara Tatham leads the way with 20 points in 90-68 win for Canadians
CANADA STORMS BACK TO DEFEAT SERBIA 71-67 AT RIO GAMES
Kia Nurse scores 25 points as Canadians rally from 18-point deficit
RIO DE JANEIRO (August 8, 2016) – For the first time ever Canada is 2-0 at the Olympic women's basketball tournament, after a comeback for the ages in a 71-67 victory over Serbia at Youth Arena on Monday.
Kia Nurse came off the bench to score 25 points for Canada, which rallied from an 18-point deficit early in the third quarter to remain unbeaten at the Rio Games and maintain a share of first place in the Group B standings.
“It was just a complete team effort,” says Nurse. “After the first half we said, 'Let's get it done on the defensive end' and that's what we did. We came down with some boards, got out in transition and made them run and executed extremely well in the second half.”
Canada's starting lineup included Miah-Marie Langlois, Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, Kim Gaucher, Tamara Tatham and Miranda Aym. Click here for full team roster.
Ayim, Gaucher and Nirra Fields all contributed eight points for Canada, while Raincock-Ekunwe grabbed nine rebounds with five coming off the offensive glass, including a clutch put-back in the final minute. Jelena Milovanovic paced Serbia with 19 points. For game boxscore click here.
Canada cranked up its defensive pressure in the second half, holding Serbia to just 15 points over the final 15:27. The Serbians committed 17 turnovers in the game, while Canada had 10 steals.
The pressure was huge,” says Team Canada head coach Lisa Thomaidis. “Being able to bring in Nirra off the bench to cause some problems, Nayo was tremendous, and Kia had a huge effort tonight. It was amazing what she was able to do, she was a game-changer and she wanted the ball when the game was close and caused a lot of turnovers with her pressure.”
Ayim and Raincock-Ekunwe each scored four early points as Canada charged out to an 8-1 lead before the game was three minutes old. Serbia responded with a 20-10 run before Kia Nurse hit a three-pointer, her second of the quarter, with four seconds remaining to tie the the game 21-21 heading into the second period.
After a free-throw by Gaucher made the score 30-28 in favour of the Serbians midway through the second quarter, Serbia scored 10 of the next 12 points to take a double-digit lead. A basket by Tatham just before the halftime buzzer reduced Serbia's lead to 40-32 at the break.
Serbia surged ahead 52-34 in the third quarter, before Canada reeled off an 11-0 run during which Nurse poured in seven points. Serbia responded with five unanswered points and held a 57-45 advantage after three quarters.
Canada opened the the fourth quarter on an 11-0 run. With 2:46 remaining, Team Canada took its first lead since the game's opening moments, as Gaucher knocked a down corner three-pointer to make the score 63-61 and set the stage for a dramatic finish.
There were four lead changes in the final two minutes, the last coming with just 48 seconds to play, when Raincock-Ekunwe converted a three-point play to put Canada in front 68-67. Langlois then hit a dagger three-pointer in the dying seconds to secure victory.
Canada next plays Wednesday, against Senegal at 4:45 PM EST. The game will be streamed online at olympics.cbc.ca. For the complete Olympic basketball schedule click here.
Canada Opens Rio Olympics With Win Over China
RIO DE JANEIRO (August 6, 2016) – Canada Basketball's senior women's national team opened play at the 2016 Olympic Games with a 90-68 win over China at Youth Arena on Saturday.
Canada's starting lineup featured Miah-Marie Langlois, Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, Kim Gaucher, Tamara Tatham and Miranda Aym. Click here for full team roster.
Tatham led the way with 20 points and Lizanne Murphy came off the bench to score 12 as all 12 Canadian players got on the scoreboard and nine had at least five points. China's Chen Xiaojia scored a team-high 12 points. For game boxscore click here.
“I thought it was a great way to start the tournament,” Team Canada head coach Lisa Thomaidis said. “We had contributions from absolutely everyone. 41 of our 90 points came from our bench and I think that just speaks to our depth of talent and ability to put different people in and see them contribute.”
Playing the 200th game of her career for Canada Basketball, captain Gaucher led all players with 10 rebounds and seven assists. Langlois tallied 11 points and added four boards and four assists.
“It's a great start to our tournament,” said Natalie Achonwa, who shot 3/5 from the field to score six points. “It's Kim Gaucher 200th international competition game, so it's a great one for her, it's a great one for our team to start off with a win.”
Canada shot a blistering 11/17 from beyond the arc, with Tatham connecting on all four of her three-point attempts. Langlois went 3/5 while Murphy was 2/3 from the outside.
Chen hit a three-pointer to score the game's first points, but that would be China's only lead. Canada scored the next six points to go in front 6-3, then finished the first quarter on a 10-2 run to lead 19-9 after 10 minutes. China tried to stay close in the second quarter, but Langlois drilled a pair of three-pointers in the last 72 seconds to send Canada into the halftime break ahead 37-26.
Tatham scored 10 points in the third period as Canada built its advantage to 60-46 with 10 minutes remaining. After Lu Wen opened the fourth quarter with a bucket to pull China within 60-48, Canada erupted for a 19-5 surge that put the game out of reach.
“First quarter was just feeling it out: We came out, we missed a couple of easy ones under the basket, but we cleaned it up pretty quickly and really ran away with it in the second half, so we're really happy about that,” Tatham said.
At 1-0, Team Canada will hold a share of first place in the Group B standings after Day 1 of competition in women's basketball at the Rio Games. Canada returns to action on Monday, when it takes on Serbia at 1:15 PM EST. The game will be streamed online at olympics.cbc.ca. For the complete Olympic basketball schedule click here.
WOMEN'S TEAM
The women’s national team will play in Group B in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Group B includes the USA, Senegal, Serbia and two teams from the Olympic Qualifying tournament.
Prior to the games the team will head participate in a 5-game series in France and Spain from June 4th-9th. They will host China in Edmonton for a 3-games series from July 9th-11th and finally participate in a 4-team exhibition tournament in the U.S from July 27th-31st.
In 2015, Team Canada won the 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship in Edmonton, Alberta and qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics. The Women's National Team went undefeated in the tournament and beat Cuba in the final to qualify for their second-straight Olympics.
Prior to the Olympic qualifying tournament, the Women's National Team went 5-0 at the Pan Am Games to earn their first-ever gold at the competition.
2016 WOMEN'S NATIONAL OLYMPIC TEAM
| Position | First | Last | Hometown |
| Assistant Coach | Steve | Baur | Wolfville, NS |
| Basketball Scientist | Chris | DalCin | Toronto, ON |
| Team Leader | Denise | Dignard | Toronto, ON |
| Athletic Therapist | Danielle | Dobney | Toronto, ON |
| Assistant Coach | Shawnee | Harle | Calgary, AB |
| Sport Psychologist | Peter | Jensen | Toronto, ON |
| Lead Physician | Sarah | Kim | Toronto, ON |
| Performance Analyst | Dipesh | Mistry | Markham, ON |
| Head Physiotherapist | Joan | Mlynarczyk | Toronto, ON |
| Assistant Coach | Bev | Smith | Eugene, OR |
| Head Coach | Lisa | Thomaidis | Saskatoon, SK |
| Team Manager | Anne Marie | Thuss | Hamilton, ON |
| Media Attaché | Bailey | Williams |
Beaver Bank, NS
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USA Basketball Showcase
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Date
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Time
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Opponent
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Result
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July 27th
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5:00pm
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Australia
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July 29th
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7:00pm
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USA
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July 31st
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1:30pm
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France
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2016 Rio Olympics
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Date
|
Time
|
Opponent
| |
Aug 6th
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1:15pm
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CAN VS CHIN
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Aug 8th
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1:15pm
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CAN VS SRB
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Aug 10th
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4:45pm
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CAN VS SEN
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Aug 12th
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2:30om
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CAN VS USA
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Aug 14th
|
4:45pm
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CAN VS ESP
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Aug 17th
|
TBA
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Quarter Finals vs TBA
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Aug 19th
|
TBA
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Semi Finals vs TBA
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Aug 20th
|
TBA
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Finals vs TBA
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2016 Rio Olympics Broadcast Schedule
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Date
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Time
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Opponent
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Broadcast
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Aug 6th
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1:15pm
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CAN VS CHIN
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TSN1, TSN3, and TSN4
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Aug 12th
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2:30om
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CAN VS USA
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TSN1, TSN3, and TSN4
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Aug 16th
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TBA
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Quarter Finals vs TBA
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TSN1, TSN3, and TSN4
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Aug 19th
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TBA
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Semi Finals vs TBA
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TSN1, TSN3, and TSN4
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