Canada's 3x3 basketball team drops women's semifinal in France to eventual champs Spain

Canada followed heartbreak in the 3x3 basketball World Cup in early June with a semifinal loss in its Women's Series season debut on Saturday in Orléans, France.

After a Katherine Plouffe point from under the basketball tied it 18-18, Spain scored three consecutive points to advance to the final, where it prevailed 17-14 over the United States. The Americans won their semifinal over France, which downed the Canadians three weeks ago at the World Cup in Vienna, Austria.

Spain has won all three 3x3 meetings with Canada — last year at the World Cup in pool play and in Quebec in pool action at a Women's Series tournament.

Canada's 21-18 defeat at the hands of the Spaniards came fewer than two hours after it received a scare from China's Sc. Yuanda before eking out a 20-18 overtime decision in the quarterfinals in a game played in 30 C heat.

Sandra Gueravide made it 19-18 Spain with her fourth point before watching teammate Vega Gimeno sink each of her two free throws after Michelle Plouffe was assessed Canada's 10th foul of the match.

WATCH | Full coverage of women's 3x3 semifinal: Canada vs. Spain:

Spain held an 11-8 advantage with 4:30 left but Michelle Plouffe muscled her way inside the paint to make it a two-point contest.

Gracia Alonso had a glorious chance to extend Spain's lead to 13-8 but missed a pair of free throws.

The Canadians soon drew even at 11-11 on a Katherine Plouffe foul shot. She topped Canada with 10 points but also had five turnovers. Her sister added seven points and three blocked shots.

Spain again went up 13-11, only to watch its opened claw back on two Michelle Plouffe baskets.

With a little more than two minutes on the clock and Spain ahead 14-12, Paige Crozon missed twice but redeemed