Merissah Russell guided Canada to a thrilling victory over Amsterdam in overtime to claim the 3×3 Women’s Series championship in Shanghai. The Ottawa native’s stellar performance included scoring seven crucial points in a 19-17 triumph at the Global Harbor, where she was named the tournament’s MVP. Russell shined throughout the event, leading Canada’s undefeated campaign with an impressive total of 33 points and eight successful two-point shots across five games in her debut in the Women’s Series.
Canada’s squad, featuring experienced players Paige Crozon from Humboldt, Sask., and Katherine Plouffe from Edmonton, alongside newcomer Tara Wallack from Surrey, B.C., showcased exceptional teamwork in the final. Plouffe and Crozon contributed six and four points, respectively, aiding Canada in a remarkable comeback, with both players making all their two-point attempts. Wallack also played a crucial role, matching Crozon and Russell with a team-high four rebounds in the title-clinching match.
In a closely contested final, Kiki Fleuren led the Dutch team with six points, including two successful two-pointers, briefly putting them ahead at 15-11 late in the game. However, Canada managed to regain the lead at 17-16 in the final moments before Amsterdam’s Zoë Slagter forced the game into overtime. Russell sealed the victory for Canada by calmly sinking two crucial free throws.
Reflecting on the tournament, Russell expressed her excitement, stating, “The Women’s Series stop was amazing and a great way to start off the summer season. We played against a lot of tough teams and had a gritty win against a top team in Amsterdam in the finals.”
Plouffe emerged as a standout player in the tournament, leading in rebounds with 24, ranking second in assists with 11, and placing third in scoring with 27 points. Crozon and Wallack also made significant contributions, accumulating 19 and 17 points, respectively, with all four Canadians finishing among the top 10 rebounders in the competition.
Canada secured their spot in the final by securing victories in the playoffs earlier in the day, defeating Thailand 21-14 in the quarterfinals and overpowering Beijing 21-11 in the semifinals. Under the guidance of head coach Daniel Ferguson, the Canadian team kicked off the tournament with wins against Yanjing (19-13) and Austria (16-10) to top Pool B on the opening day.