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Rio de Janeiro • Kim Smith Gaucher struggled offensively for most of Monday's game, but her Canadian teammates knew their captain would come through in the end.

The former University of Utah star went 1 of 10 from the field until making two shots that helped push Canada's rally over the top in a 71-67 win over Serbia in Group B preliminary play of the Olympic women's basketball tournament.

Canada trailed by 18 points early in the third quarter and by 12 going into the final period, but used defensive pressure to make a comeback.

"When we play in desperation mode … that's when we're really, really good," said Canada's Kia Nurse.

Gaucher's 3-pointer from the left corner put the Canadians ahead, 63-61.

Canada would need more clutch plays after that, and Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe and Miah-Marie Langlois delivered them.

Nurse, a University of Connecticut player, kept Canada in the game by scoring 25 points. Gaucher did her part, finishing with eight points and six rebounds and finding her touch at just the right time. "Honestly, with Kimmie, one thing you can count on is when she has an open three from the corner, she'll probably knock that in," Nurse said.

The Canadians will face Senegal on Wednesday, and they're almost certain to take a 3-0 record into Friday's game vs. the USA. The chances of Canada's remaining unbeaten seemed unlikely after Serbia opened the third quarter with a 12-2 run, building a 52-34 lead.

Canada responded with an 11-0 run, only to have Serbia regain control and take a 57-45 lead after three quarters. The Canadians sustained their next rally with help from Gaucher, the only woman to have her jersey (No. 4) retired by Utah.

Former Ute teammate Shona Thorburn made two free throws for Canada, but missed three shots from the field and did not play in the second half. Michelle Plouffe, another ex-Ute, did not appear in the game — although her twin sister, Katherine, played a part in the rally.

Canada was down by two points in the last minute, before Raincock-Ekunwe converted an offensive rebound into a 3-point play. After a Serbia traveling violation, Langlois made her only shot of the game — a clinching 3-pointer with the shot clock running down after Nurse drove and passed to her.

Twitter: @tribkurt —

Storylines

R Canada stands 2-0 after coming back for a 71-67 win over Serbia and is likely to advance to the quarterfinals.

• Former University of Utah stars Kim Gaucher, Shona Thorburn and Michelle Plouffe play together in their second Olympics.

• Canada's Kia Nurse, from UConn, will meet coach Geno Auriemma and five current or former UConn players with the U.S. team Friday.