After a dazzling opening ceremony last night, the Summer games have begun! On the first day of the Rio Olympics, the Canadian Women’s basketball team took on China in their first game of preliminaries. With the top four teams of each group moving on from preliminaries, Canada will look to get off to a great start against a team they have beaten four times this year.
It was a milestone game for Canada’s captain Kim Gaucher, who is playing in her 200th game for Team Canada. On the other end, China’s 6”5 Nan Chen would come out of retirement to play in the 2016 games.
In the first quarter, both teams would be slow out of the gates. Canada would miss their first six FGA’s, but would only hold China to three points during their early cold stretch. The tough defense would continue through the first quarter, only allowing China to score nine points. Canada would hit their stride at the end the quarter, going on a 5-0 in the last minute to end the first quarter 19-9.
Great cut from Natalie Achonwa to end the quarter. CAN leads CHN 19-9 after 1 https://t.co/Uo5ayDNKa4
— Spencer Redmond (@Spenred) August 6, 2016
Canada would continue their tough defense in the first half, more importantly it was their rebounding that kept them on top. China would have 18 boards in the first half, to Canada’s 25. China’s size advantage wouldn’t bother team Canada, as they would have 11 offensive boards keeping their scoring possessions alive. China would close the gap to six points mid way through the second, but Canada again would close the quarter strong. Holding China to 3 points in the final 2 minutes, and with Miah-Marie Langlois scoring two threes in the final minute and a half of play to close out a strong first half.
2016 Olympic Games #Rio2016 #weareteamcanada pic.twitter.com/SwHxiDUjKa
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) August 6, 2016
It would be much of the same in the third quarter, but baskets would come more quickly from both ends. China would score 20 points in third, but Canada would match, continuing their dominant play scoring 23. It was the duo of Tamara Tatham and captain Gaucher, that would continue Canada’s strong play in the second half. Although Gaucher would only score 2 points, she would be instrumental in every other facet adding 7REB and 5AST in the game.
Great transition bucket here from Natalie Achonwa. Canada is hot coming out of the gate in the fourth leadi… https://t.co/kHMN4oKfOT
— Spencer Redmond (@Spenred) August 6, 2016
Canada would come out hot in the fourth quarter, quickly extending their lead past 20 points. It would be on the strong play of Tatham, that would lead team Canada. Tatham would go 4/4 from three in the game, and be the game high scorer with 20PTS, to go a long with her 6REB. Olympic rookie Langlois wouldn’t disappoint, scoring 11PTS, while showing some veteran poise running the point which set the tone and pace perfectly for the much faster team Canada.
China would struggle down the stretch, only scoring 2 points in the first four minutes of the fourth. The veteran Chen would have a team high 13PTS, but it wouldn’t be enough to cool down team Canada. China will look to rebound against Senegal on Monday, to gain some ground. Canada would win their first game of Rio in convincing fashion 90-68, giving them two points in the Group B bracket. Everyone would score on the Canadian roster, shooting a blistering 65% from three, while out rebounding China 44-38. Canada will take on Serbia on Monday Aug 8th at 1:15PMEST. Stay tuned to Raptors Republic for more Olympic Basketball coverage.
