The final horn has not yet sounded on the Canadian women’s basketball team’s Olympic medal hopes.
Three hours after dropping its second straight game – a 70-65 decision to Australia this morning (Aug. 1) – Miltonian Kayla Alexander and her teammates breathed a collective sigh of relief as France toppled Nigeria 75-54.
This kept Canada alive, though a commanding victory over Nigeria Sunday afternoon will be needed to have any chance of reaching the quarterfinals.
Tough coming out more aggressive than during Monday’s 75-54 opening-round loss to France, Canada struggled in the paint and to find quality looks for much of today’s showdown with the Aussies.
Alexander – a 33-year-old co-captain of this year’s Canadian team, making her second Olympic appearance – had 10 points and five rebounds today.
Quarterfinal play is set for Wednesday, with the medal round on Aug. 11.