2012 London Summer Olympics

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France booked a place in the quarterfinal round of Olympic women's basketball event after beating Canada, 64-60, for its third win in as many games.

With a perfect 3-0 record and six points in Group B, the French are assured of a seat in the next round while Canada must win against Brazil to keep its hopes of advancing alive.

Veteran guard Celine Dumerc sealed France's win with two foul shots with nine seconds left after Canada came to within two, 62-60.

Emilie Gomis paced France with 16 points, Isabelle Yacoubou added 14 markers while Dumerc contributed 10 points. Shona Thorburn scored 17 points while Natalie Achonwa added 14 for Canada (1-2).

France built an early 11-4 after Sandrine Gruda split a pair of free throws but Canada managed to close the gap to 13-12 at the start of the second period.

Canada even managed to grab the lead at 14-13, after Kim Smith's lay-up, and at 16-15 behind Tamara Tatham's basket.

France started the fourth quarter with a two-point lead but quickly made it 50-43 on Isabelle Yacoubou's free throws before Canada threatened again at 50-47 after Krista Phillip's lay-up with four minutes left.

Crucial misses by Thornburn and Anchowa doomed Canada's chances of closing the gap further while the French showed nerves of steel at the foul line, scoring their last 12 points at the charity stripe.

"We just didn't put the ball in the hoop. I don't know what you can account to that. I'm sure you have to give a little bit to their length. They get to you quicker than some teams," assessed Canada coach Allison McNeill after the game.

"Some of the misses were just lack of concentration a little bit, or lack of finish a little bit. But I was happy with everything. The game plan, we executed it perfectly," she added.

Now, the Canadians are looking at their next game, hoping to clinch a crucial win against Brazil to keep their campaign going.

"Brazil is a common foe. We've played them a lot, so it won't be as tough a scout. They're a lot like France - have good bigs, they're athletic, play a lot more zone," said McNeill.

 

Parker leads France past Lithuania

Tony Parker scored 27 points and Nicolas Batum chipped in 21 to lead France to an 82-74 victory over Lithuania in men's Olympic basketball.

The San Antonio Spurs point guard, Parker capped a 10-2 run with a 3-pointer to end the third quarter and give France a 59-52 lead.

Martynas Pocius scored 18 points off the bench to lead Lithuania (1-2) while Linas Kleiza of the Toronto Raptors added 17.

France was led by its NBA players in this one. Batum plays for Portland and Boris Diaw of the San Antonio Spurs had 10 points, eight assists and six rebounds.

The win improved France to 2-1 with their lone loss coming to the U.S.

 

 

France Trips Canada - Books Trip to Women's Basketball Quarterfinals