Oh Canada! Beats France 71-63 to end exhibition tournament

NEW YORK – Miah-Marie Langlois scored 13 points to help Canada beat France 71-63 on Sunday at Madison Square Garden in an exhibition game.

This was the final tuneup for both teams before the Rio Olympics begin next weekend.

Canada led 33-31 at the half before scoring the first 10 points of the third quarter to expand its advantage to 43-31 on a jumper by Langlois. France rallied to within five heading to the fourth quarter. Canada expanded its lead up to 64-51 with just under 3:30 left before back-to-back turnovers led to French layups.

France rallied within 66-63 before Kia Nurse hit a few free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the game.

Sarah Michel scored 16 points to lead France.

Canada will head back to Toronto before flying down to Rio. The Canadians open up Olympic play on Saturday against China. The U.S., Spain, Serbia and Senegal are also in Canada’s group. France is in the other bracket and starts against Turkey on Saturday. Australia, Brazil, Belarus and Japan are in that group.