Sept. 30, 2010

BOX SCORE

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic - (courtesy of basketballca.com) Céline Dumerc's buzzer-beating inside shot out of a timeout gave France a 49-47 win Wednesday over Canada's Senior Women's National Team (SWNT) on the final day of play in the Eight-Final Round of the FIBA World Championship. Gonzaga women's basketball senior Janelle Bekkering played 13 minutes for Canada, pulling down one rebound and taking two shots.

"Obviously we're really disappointed," head coach Allison McNeill said during a conference call. "It doesn't really mean anything in our placings for France or us but you want to win and you don't go into any game not wanting to win."

France's fan club was in full effect with their red, white and blue hair, horns and rowdy chants. There were definitely some loud Canadian supporters and adopted fans for SWNT cheering on the red and white in a game that saw seven lead changes, and came down to the final shot.

Once again Canada out-rebounded its opponent 40-31. Both teams shot 71 per cent from the free throw line but had a dismal record from the field. Canada shot only 31 per cent, while France shot 32 per cent from the field.

Canada's top performer was Canada's youngest player - Natalie Achonwa (Guelph, Ont.) scored a game-high 12 points and 8 rebounds in 26 minutes of action. Co-captain Kim Smith (Mission, B.C.) also collected 12 on the night and was perfect from the free throw line.

"We came out very strong," said Achonwa. "We played a great game defensively like always and we hit some close shots and stuck with them the entire game. When you play Canada there are no easy games. We're going to give you a challenge until the end."

France's Nwal-Endene Miyem and Anael Lardy tied for top scorer with nine points. On the boards, Les Bleues' Jennifer Digbeu collected a team-high 5 rebounds.

The red and white led the first quarter 16-12, but France went on to take the lead at the half 25-27. The third period was basically non-existent finishing with France up by five, 28-33. Canada outscored France in the fourth 19-16 but the final shot by France's captain Dumerc sealed the win for Les Bleues.

With this win France (3-3) advances to the quarter-final round and will play their first game against Spain (5-1). Canada (1-5) will move to the classification round and will face Brazil (1-5). After a day off, competition will resume on October 1 in Karlovy Vary, CZ.