PARIS – On Monday, in Team USA’s 3×3 second game they took the podium spot in third place. A 16-13 win over the Canadians gets the Americans the bronze medal.
“We wouldn’t change a single thing that happened. We needed those 3 losses, to kind of wake us up,” Team USA’s Derica Hamby said.
An early stop from Derica Hamby stops the Canadians from scoring on their first possession. Canada’s Michelle Plouffe scores the first points of the game with a nice two to get the lead.
Hailey Van Lith banks in a shot right before the shot clock goes off to give the Americans their first points. Rhyne Howard knocks down a shot from the free throw line to tie the game at 2-2. Katherine Plouffe does a new spin move to get loose of her defender and scores.
Howard’s hard drive to the lane earns her a free throw shot that ties the game back up at 3-3. Canada’s steal leads to a bucket from Katherine Plouffe adding another point to her total. In the next possession the Canadians trap Hamby to get the steal that leads to another bucket by Katherine Plouffe to add the 2-0 run.
Kacie Bosch hits a deep two from the corner putting Canada up 5-3 over Team USA. The Americans finally stop the Canadians 4-0 run, with a tough bucket by Van Lith. Howard gets a great assist from Hamby to close the gap making it 7-5.
The lefty, Van Lith pulls up and knocks down the jumper with just five minutes left on the clock. Canada’s Michelle Plouffe ends the U.S ‘run with a jumper to put the score at 8-7. A quick turn around bucket by Rhyne Howard tied the game up. Bosch silences the crowd with an open layup giving the Canadians back the lead.
The Americans do a beautiful pick and roll action with Van Lith and Burddick, Canadians block Burdick shot attempts. Van Lith ties the game at 9-9, after making the open free throw line jumper. Canada’s Paige Crozon steps in and knocks down the deep two-pointer to put the Canadians back on top with just three minutes remaining. Plouffe does a fade away shot to shake Rhyne Howard off and brings the score to 12-9.
TCU’s Van Lith gives Hamby a great assist in the paint to put the Americans only down 2. A technical foul is called on Plouffe after words are expressed to the officials. Van Lith makes the technical free throw shot, putting the United States women down by 1 with only two minutes left.
Van Lith drives to the basket and banks it in to tie the game up. A U.S turnover leads to a bucket from Katherine Plouffe, breaking the tie to put Canada up 13-12. Hamby answers quickly with a cut to the basket and makes it an and one. The foul by Canada puts Burddick to the line, Burddick makes one out of the two shots.
Burddick gets a big time offensive board for Team USA making the Canadians have to foul. The Americans take the 16-13 win over Canada to complete their Paris Olympics.
The Canadians controlled the game until the end where the U.S dominated. Hailey Van Lith led the Americans to the victory over Canada with 5 points, and Rhyne Howard also had a great game with 4 points. Burdick’s incredible rebounds in Monday’s Game doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Van Lith is going to work, aggressive drive, drops the shoulder, just ate the contact,” Sports Commentator and Analyst Kyle Montgomery said during Monday’s game.
Despite starting out 0-3, the Americans fought through adversity and overcame their challenges. With everyone questioning whether or not they were the right people to be picked for the Team USA 3×3 team, they continued to work together and battle for the podium spot.
Kierra Richardson is a Journalism student at Ohio State University desiring to work in sports media.
