UConn in the Olympics: Despite 14 points from Nurse, Canada falls in final group stage game to Spain

Canada’s troubles at the Olympics continued throughout the group stage as they fell to Spain, 76-66. Kia Nurse scored a team-high 14 points in 36 minutes while Aaliyah Edwards did not play.

After a slow first quarter, Canada trailed by 10 but cut into the deficit to go into halftime down 40-34. That work was quickly erased in the third quarter as Spain held the Canadians to just 13 points and took a 13-point lead entering the final 10 minutes to play. Though Canada threatened a comeback in the fourth, they never got closer than six points before Spain pulled away.

Canada has now finished third in Group A. In addition to the top two teams in every group, the two best third-place squads will advance on to the knockout round, so Canada isn’t necessarily done yet.

They have four points (two points are given for a win, one point for a loss) with a +7 point differential. As long as Australia doesn’t win by 25 points or more against Puerto Rico — the last place team in Group C — Canada will advance to the knockout round.

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Edwards, Japan bow out

The Olympics are over for Gavin Edwards and Japan men’s basketball. The hosts fell to Argentina 97-77 in their group stage finale, locking in a fourth-place finish. Edwards did not play.

Overall, the former UConn forwards finished with 10 points and eight rebounds in two games at the Olympics.

Giffey advances

With all the men’s basketball group stage officially completed, Niels Giffey and Germany are officially through to the knockout stage as a third-place team. They will play Slovenia at 9 p.m. EST on Monday night in the quarterfinals.

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Looking ahead

Team USA will play their final game before the knockout round against Gabby Williams and France on Monday at 12:40 a.m. EST (TV: USA Network). Meanwhile, Cecile Pieper’s Germany squad will begin their quest for gold in the quarterfinals against Argentina on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. EST.