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Team USA men’s wheelchair basketball beats Spain in Paralympics opener

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2 weeks ago

August 30, 2024

Team USA men's wheelchair basketball beats Spain in Paralympics opener

PARIS — In a rematch of their two earlier encounters this summer season during which the USA emerged victorious by scores of 61-57 and 70-65, Crew USA as soon as once more edged out Spain, 66-56, in a intently contested Paralympic opener in Bercy Enviornment on Thursday afternoon.

“We’re speaking about one of the best of one of the best proper now,” Crew USA’s Trevon Jenifer stated of the 2 groups. “That is the largest match we now have so we all know we’re going to get a staff’s greatest shot out right here, so we needed to come out and deal with enterprise. Spain gave us some actually good play for our first sport.”

The sport stayed shut early as the 2 groups traded the primary 4 baskets earlier than Jake Williams knocked down back-to-back threes to place the Individuals up 10-6 lower than 4 minutes into the sport.

After a second likelihood basket from Jennifer, Spain linked on a 3-pointer that lower the deficit to only one and almost took the lead, however missed the layup to finish the opening body 18-17 in favor of the Individuals.

Williams was in all places on the court docket scoring eight factors, and including two rebounds and two assists in simply the primary quarter.

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The second quarter picked up proper the place the primary left off, with Jenifer scoring a fast two factors earlier than Spain took the factors proper again, grabbing its first lead with 5:25 left to play within the interval. Nevertheless, Bell instantly banked one off the glass to retake the lead at 24-23.

Whereas that was Spain’s solely lead, the USA was unable to tug away greater than two possessions, combating their technique to a 32-29 benefit going into the break.

“Spain is an all-world staff,” 5 time Paralympian and staff captain Steve Serio stated. “We knew that Spain at all times brings it. They don’t seem to be an opponent you could overlook. We undoubtedly have quite a lot of room to develop, however we’ll return and take a look at the sport tape and get higher.”

The third quarter noticed Crew USA start to tug away when Serio’s and-one play on the 7:36 mark gave them a 36-29 lead. Spain continued to struggle again, however the Individuals maintained a snug margin. Jennifer’s quick break rating with 3:01 remaining within the interval prolonged the result in eight.

Crew USA took a 46-40 lead into the fourth quarter earlier than Spain made a late push, chopping the result in only one possession with simply over six minutes remaining. Nevertheless, the Individuals held on, securing the victory with a closing rating of 66-56.

Jake Williams led the best way with 22 factors and 7 assists, however stated that that is simply the beginning.

“Everybody’s excited to get the primary sport going,” Williams stated. “We play Spain lots at these tournaments so we all know what to anticipate.”