Canada's 3x3 basketball team beats Australia, advances to semifinals at Paris Olympics

A split eyebrow was not about to keep Kacie Bosch from the court on Saturday.

After all, it was do-or-die for Canada's women's 3x3 basketball team.

Bosch put up a game-high nine points and lead Canada to a 21-10 win over Australia in play-in action at the Paris Olympics, despite taking an elbow to the face that forced her to spend several minutes receiving medical attention on the sideline.

The victory clinched Canada's spot in Monday's semifinals and means the country will play for a medal.

Bosch made all seven shots she took Saturday, including a pair from beyond the arc, in her best Olympic performance yet.

"The team always has confidence in me, even when I don't have confidence in myself," she said, with tears welling and ample medical tape over her right eyebrow. "So I knew that they believed in me. So I just wasn't thinking about it and I just let it fly."

The 27-year-old guard from Lethbridge, Alta., is relentless every single game, even if she isn't an offensive powerhouse, said teammate Paige Crozon.

"We call her our little chihuahua because even if she doesn't take a single shot, she is such a lockdown defender and she gets all the rebounds and all the touches. And I think that just wears on the [other] team throughout a whole game," said Crozon, who contributed five points.

A robust crowd — including Canadian men's national team captain Kelly Olynyk — took in the game at La Concorde, with many wearing ponchos or holding umbrellas as rain drenched the open-air stands.

The play-in matchup was Canada's second of the day, coming after the team topped Azerbaijan 21-19 to close out the preliminary round in fourth place with a 4-3 record.

Australia finished group play in fifth after dropping an 18-16 decision to