WAIS Wheelchair Basketball Duo into Gold Medal Match

The Australian U25 Women’s Wheelchair basketball team has won through to the Gold Medal match of the 2011 U25 Women’s Wheelchair World Championship, after accounting for the host-nation Canada in their semi final clash.

Australia started slowly in the first term, trailing the home side 12-7, before registering their highest scoring quarter of the game in the second term with 20 points, and taking a six point lead, 27-21 at halftime. 18 year old WAIS Scholarship holder Amber Merritt led the charge for Australia with seven second term points.

Australia extended their lead in the third term, behind continued outstanding team play, led once again by Amber Merritt, who helped the Australians open up a 41-30 lead after three quarters.

The final term was closer than the score board suggests. Although Canada outscored Australia 19-17, they were able to rein a 17 point Australian lead into just eight points with under one minute remaining.

Australia steadied and managed to hold on and win their way to tomorrow’s Gold Medal game, where they will face the USA.

Amber Merritt top scored for Australia with 25 points, to go along with 11 rebounds, with fellow WAIS scholarship holder Sarah Vinci chipping in with five points and four rebounds playing guard.

For Canada, Cindy Ouellet led the way with 14 points and 20 rebounds.

Australia 60 (Merritt 21) def Canada 47 (Ouellet 14)

-Wheelchair Sports WA