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MOSCOW REGION (2007 FIBA U21 World Championship for Women) - Canada could not recover from a slow start against a more experienced and skilled France squad as they lost by a final score of 71-52. 

Canada could not contain French star Sandrine Gruda, who dominated inside and scored a tournament high 34 points and added nine rebounds.

Team Canada got off to a slow start to begin the game, and could not stop France's Gruda in the first quarter as she scored 15 of her teams 23 first quarter points.

Canada began the second quarter in the same fashion, and struggled offensively against France's pressure defence.

They managed to score two points in the first five minutes of the frame, until they went on a late 6-2 run led by Tara Watts.

French international Gruda helped put a stop to the Canadian run after returning from the bench, and powered France to a 42-27 halftime lead.

Canada started the second half strong going on an 8-5 run in the first five minutes of the third, and cutting the deficit to 12 points.

However, France's low post players dominated inside to close the quarter and took a 60-40 lead into the final quarter.

The Canadians changed things up on the defensive end in the fourth quarter, and outscored France 12-11, but lost the game by a final score of 71-52.

Leanne Evans finished the game with a team-high nine rebounds for Canada.

"Today we only applied the game plan starting half way through the second quarter," commented head coach Linda Marquis.

"Mental preparedness and attention to details by each athlete in the application of our game plan is critical against top world level teams like France.  We lacked discipline and team play again today."

Basketball Canada