Gliders Face Tough Test in World Champs Quaters

The Australian Gliders women’s wheelchair basketball team will face tournament hosts Canada in the quarter finals of the 2014 IWBF Women’s World Wheelchair Basketball Championship on Friday morning.

A match-up with the host nation was set after the Gliders suffered their second loss of the tournament to the undefeated Netherlands 47-38 in their last group match.

After holding a narrow lead at the end of the first and second quarters, the Gliders couldn’t withstand the second half Dutch onslaught, eventually going down by nine points.

In a low-scoring affair, Sarah Stewart top-scored for the Gliders with 10 points and four assists, while Cobi Crispin had eight points and Kylie Gauci had four points and six assists.

It was the Gliders who had the better of the early exchanges of the final game of the group stages, establishing a 16-12 advantage at the conclusion of the first period.

The teams continued to battle in the second quarter, with the Dutch cutting the lead to just one point at the main interval, with the Gliders more than matching their undefeated opponents.

It was after the half that the Netherlands began to take control of the contest, outscoring the Gliders 14-6 in the thirds quarter and 22-11 for the second half, ensuring they would finish the pool on top with a 5-0 record.

The defeat had the Gliders earn a 3-2 record and third place in the pool, meaning a quarter final cross-over with Canada.

WAIS athletes Sarah Vinci, Amber Merritt and Clare Nott are all representing Australia at the World Championships in Canada.

A timely rest day will see the Gliders take a break from competition after five games in as many days.

Next up for the Australian Gliders is Canada in quarter final action on Friday at 8:00am AEST, with fans able to watch the game LIVE online at http://2014wheelchairbasketball.com/connect/watch-the-games-live.

-BasketballAus