The Opals rebound; Germany, France and US reach quarterfinals in Olympic women's basketball

VILLENEUVE-D'ASCQ, France (AP) — Sami Whitcomb scored 19 points as Australia rebounded from a surprising opening loss in the Olympic women's basketball tournament and pushed Canada to the brink of elimination with a 70-65 victory Thursday in group play.

Canada, ranked fifth in the world, got a lift when host France beat Nigeria 75-54 later in the day. It is still in the mix for a spot in the elimination round in Paris going into Sunday's game against Nigeria in its group play finale.

Australia also came in needing a victory, or France's win could have eliminated the Opals with a game left in pool play. Australia reached the quarterfinals three years ago only to lose to the U.S. in the Tokyo Games. France became the fourth nation to clinch a quarterfinal berth with its win.

Germany continued its dazzling Olympic debut by beating Japan 75-64 to secure a spot in Paris for the quarterfinals. Spain and Serbia grabbed the first quarterfinal berths with wins on Wednesday.

The U.S., chasing an unprecedented eighth straight Olympic gold medal, became the fifth team into the next round after beating Belgium 87-74 in Thursday’s finale. That leaves three spots up for grabs as pool play concludes this weekend.

Canada's best Olympic finish was fourth in 1984. Australia came in ranked third in the world for its 10th Olympics berth, but it lost forward Bec Allen to ankle injury last week.

Steph Talbot, Marianna Tolo and Cayla George each scored 11 points for the Opals. Ezi Magbegor had 10.

Bridget Carleton led Canada with 19 points. Kia Nurse had 12, and Kayla Alexander added 10.

Australia led 18-16 after the first quarter and 38-32 at halftime.

Syla Swords, set to play college basketball at Michigan, drove to the basket for a layup that pulled the Canadians within 46-44. But Isobel Borlase answered with a floater, and Tolo's layup in the final seconds put the Opals up 51-44 going into the fourth.

They led by as many as 13 in finishing off a much-needed win.

Gabby Williams did a little bit of everything to ensure France plays for a second straight Olympic medal. She had 14 points, seven assists, five rebounds and six steals, keeping the loud home crowd revved up with Paris Games organizer Tony Estanguet in attendance.

Williams, who played at UConn and whose mother is French, made sure the host nation did not lose to the team that just knocked off Australia for its first Olympic victory in 20 years.

Nigeria closed 32-30 with 3:08 left in the second quarter on a floater by Elizabeth Balogun. Williams scored four quick points to help France to a 38-31 halftime lead.

Marine Johannes had 15 for France.

Ezinne Kalu led Nigeria with 18 points, and Murjanatu Musa added 14.

France seized control in the third, holding Nigeria to eight points after setting the Olympic mark for fewest points allowed in a quarter in its opening win over Canada. France led 54-39 in punching its ticket to Bercy Arena for Wednesday’s quarterfinals.

Nigeria's own hopes of qualifying remain alive going into its pool play finale.

Satou Sabally scored 23 of her 33 points in the first half to help Germany clinch its spot in Paris. Her sister, Nyara, didn't play, with the WNBA's New York Liberty forward in the concussion protocol after being helped off the court in the Germans' opening win.

Satou Sabally, a forward for the WNBA's Dallas Wings, handled her absence easily, tying for the eighth-most points in an Olympic game.

Japan tied it at 44 on a 3-pointer by Maki Takada with 8:22 left in the third quarter, then Leonie Fiebich scored inside to put Germany ahead to stay. Germany finished the third on a 15-5 run for a 59-49 lead going into the fourth. It led by as many as 12 to remain undefeated in pool play.

Alexis Peterson added 11 points for Germany, and Luisa Geiselsoder had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Japan, which won silver at the 2021 Tokyo Games, will need a win and some help Sunday wrapping up against Belgium to grab one of the final two quarterfinal spots. Germany concludes pool play against the U.S.

Takada led Japan with 15 points. Saori Miyazaki had 13 and Saki Hayashi 11.

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Nigeria's Amy Okonkwo watches the ball go in during a women's basketball game against France at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (Sameer Al-Doumy/Pool Photo via AP)

Canada head coach Victor Lapena gestures to his team during a women's basketball game against Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

France's Valeriane Ayayi, left, celebrates after scoring and drawing a foul as Nigeria's Amy Ezinne Kalu has words with her with France's Gabby Williams between them during a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Canada's Sami Hill, left, shoots as Australia's Alanna Smith defends during a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Germany's Satou Sabally, center, shoots as Japan's Stephanie Mawuli, right, defends and Japan's Evelyn Mawuli watches in a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, Pool)

Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, poses with fans during a women's basketball game between Nigeria and France at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

France team members celebrate from the bench after France scored a three-point basket during a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Australia head coach Sandy Brondello yells to her team during a women's basketball game against Canada at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Canada's Aaliyah Edwards, left, and Canada's Kayla Alexander, right, reach for a rebound along with Australia's Steph Talbot during a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Belgium's Beckey Massey, left, and United States' A'ja Wilson grapple for the ball during a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States head coach Cheryl Reeve gestures during a women's basketball game against Belgium at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' Breanna Stewart, center, celebrates after scoring as Belgium's Emma Meesseman, right, runs along during a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Members of the Australia team celebrate from the bench after Australia scored during a women's basketball game against Canada at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Japan's Maki Takada, right, shoots as Germany's Luisa Geiselsoder defends during a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Japan head coach Toru Onzuka gestures during a women's basketball game against Germany at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Japan's Rui Machida, fourth from left, celebrates with teammates after hitting a three point shot during a women's basketball game against Germany at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Japan's Nanaka Todo, left, takes the ball as Germany's Leonie Fiebich falls during a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Japan's Saki Hayashi, right, shoots as Germany's Marie Guelich defends during a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Germany head coach Lisa Thomaidis gestures during a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Germany's Nyara Sabally sits on the bench during a women's basketball game against Japan at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Germany's Frieda Buhner, left, and Germany's Satou Sabally, right, reach for a rebound along with Japan's Evelyn Mawuli in a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (Sameer Al-Doumy/Pool Photo via AP)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye got words of encouragement from another high draft pick on Sunday after the New England Patriots lost to the Texans in the rookie's first career start.

A year ago, Houston's C.J. Stroud was in Maye's shoes — a first-year quarterback entrusted to lead the franchise after getting selected early in the draft. Stroud was the No. 2 overall pick, and Maye was taken third.

Stroud lost his first two starts before leading the Texans to the playoffs. Given the sorry state of Maye’s team, the Patriots (1-5) are unlikely to make a similar run.

Still, Maye's performance in the Patriots' 41-21 loss to the Texans provided a jolt of energy. He finished 22 of 30 for 243 yards with an 88.3 passer rating. With three touchdown passes, the 22-year-old exceeded the five-game total of Jacoby Brissett, whose ineffectiveness prompted Patriots coach Jerod Mayo to switch to the rookie.

“I was a little amped at the start for sure. The guys around me were great trying to settle me down, and Jacoby was a big part of that,” Maye said.

Maye took his first snap as an NFL starting QB at 9:08 of the first quarter. His image appearing on the Gillette Stadium video board prompted a huge ovation from the crowd.

“It gave me goosebumps going out there for the first time,” Maye said. “I’m in a great spot with the Patriots here and playing quarterback in the NFL.”

His debut was a mix of positives and learning moments. He overthrew DeMario Douglas for a first-quarter interception but connected with Douglas for a 35-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

“I love how he gained confidence throughout the game and I thought it was a good first game for him,” Douglas said.

Patriots fans are hoping Maye can emerge as the franchise’s long-sought-after solution in the post-Tom Brady era, and they found reason to be encouraged late in the first half. Looking downfield, Maye unleashed a perfect throw that dropped into Kayshon Boutte’s arms for a 40-yard touchdown that got New England within 14-7.

“His competitiveness was great,” said tight end Hunter Henry, who caught a TD pass from Maye in the third quarter.

Maye also rushed for a team-best 38 yards, as his ability to scramble and keep plays alive added an element to a New England offense that regressed after winning its season opener at Cincinnati and taking Seattle to overtime in Week 2. He also learned the importance of taking care of the ball — one of Houston's four sacks led to a fumble that gave the Texans the ball at the Patriots 10-yard line.

“I think I took a couple sacks where I could have thrown it away or thrown check-downs instead of getting a sack,” Maye said. “Just kept hurting ourselves, and in this league, these teams are too good to do that. But some great stuff to watch on film.”

Stroud was asked about the words of encouragement he gave Maye when the two young QBs crossed paths after the final whistle.

“Just be yourself, you know. Everything that got you here will take care of where you want to go and really just trust yourself. Trust that you’ll eventually figure it out. You’ll have bad days. You’ll have good days. There are days where you’ll look at yourself like, man, I’m the worst quarterback in the world, but it’s always about getting up the next day and keep going,” Stroud said. “I thought he played really solid. Definitely feel like he’ll get better and better as he keeps going.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) hands off to running back Antonio Gibson (4) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) looks to pass the ball as offensive tackle Demontrey Jacobs (75) defends during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) celebrates after his touchdown reception with quarterback Drake Maye (10) and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) meet on the field following an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye passes the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)