The Netherlands efficiently defended their Paralympic gold medal, defeating the USA 63-49 within the remaining of the ladies’s wheelchair basketball competitors on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games. This win marks the Dutch workforce’s second consecutive Paralympic gold, whereas the USA’s silver follows their bronze medal from Tokyo 2020.
The 2 groups had already confronted off earlier within the Video games in Pool B, the place the People fell quick by 13 factors. Within the remaining, the sport acquired off to an sudden begin, with the USA leaping to a seven-point lead midway by the primary quarter. The Netherlands struggled offensively, taking pictures simply 23% from the sphere, with the USA’s robust protection contributing to their difficulties. The People took the primary quarter by 4 factors and continued their sturdy play into the second quarter.
It wasn’t till the ultimate three minutes of the primary half that the Dutch took management, pushing the ball ahead, drawing fouls, and creating scoring alternatives by well-executed set performs. The Netherlands gained the second quarter by 11 factors, giving them a seven-point lead at halftime.
Within the third quarter, the Netherlands continued to indicate why they’re reigning champions. Their aggressive protection pressured the USA into 5 turnovers, they usually capitalised on these errors by fast-breaking at each alternative. The People struggled to get good pictures off, usually working the shot clock right down to its remaining seconds, which even resulted in a number of 24-second violations. The Netherlands prolonged their lead by one other 4 factors, pushing the margin to 11 heading into the ultimate quarter.
The USA’s remaining push to safe gold began sturdy, with the People reducing the result in single digits inside the first two minutes of the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, the Netherlands responded with a decisive 7-0 run, highlighted by two clutch free throws and a three-pointer from Bo Kramer. Whereas each groups exchanged baskets briefly, the USA couldn’t hold tempo. In a determined try to shut the hole, the People started launching three-pointers early of their possessions, however their efforts fell quick. The Netherlands held sturdy, successful the quarter by three factors and securing the 63-49 victory.
For the Netherlands, each Bo Kramer and Mariska Beijer posted double-doubles. Kramer completed with 23 factors, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists, whereas Beijer contributed 22 factors, 10 rebounds, and three assists. Regardless of a powerful begin from Rose Hollermann, who led the USA with 17 factors and eight rebounds, the People couldn’t overcome the Dutch dominance.
For extra updates on the wheelchair basketball competitors on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games, go to the occasion web page or comply with the motion on social media utilizing #Paris2024WBB.
Written by Esha Naya for IWBF.
