Host France thumps turnover-prone Canada 75-54 in Olympic women's basketball

LILLE — Marieme Badiane had game-high 13 points and France trounced Canada 75-54 to open its women's basketball tournament at the Paris Olympics on Monday.

Shay Colley of Brampton, Ont., led the fifth-ranked Canadians with 11 points and six assists as they struggled with shooting and turnovers.

Canada held an 18-15 lead after the opening frame but couldn't get anything going during disastrous second quarter that saw the French go on a 22-0 run before Bridget Carleton of Chatham, Ont., put in a shot from the paint.

The Canadians shot 33 per cent from the field across the game and coughed up 11 turnovers that led to 16 points for France in the first half alone.

Many Canadian fans punctuated the boisterous French crowd, including the men's national team, who won their tournament opener against Greece on Saturday.

Canada's women's squad will face world No. 3 Australia on Thursday before closing out pool play against 12th-ranked Nigeria on Sunday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2024.

The Canadian Press