Canada has advanced to the women's gold-medal game in its debut appearance at the FIBA 3x3 Basketball World Cup. The 13th-ranked Canadians held on for a 16-14 semifinal win over Lithuania after leading by as many as nine points with just under four minutes remaining in Antwerp, Belgium.
With under 10 seconds left, Michelle Plouffe of Edmonton missed a layup but a key block in the final seconds secured the victory. "I think it's one of the hallmarks of this team, having the ability to remain calm," Plouffe said after the game. "We grinded to the finish.
I'm so proud of this team. "I feel like the goal has been accomplished. We wanted to get to the podium." Canada will face France at 2:55 p.m.
ET after the Frenchwomen gained a measure of revenge with a 17-16 win over China following a 16-14 loss in last year's Olympic bronze-medal contest.