SANTIAGO, Chile — Team USA never trailed once in the Parapan American Games. There were moments in the first quarter of some games where it looked like a team would give them a good fight, but the dominance of the U.S. was never once truly tested throughout the week.
Even against Canada, Team USA held them at bay the entire game. The closest Canada got was when Kathleen Dandeneua made a tough basket and a foul to tie the game at 22-22. She missed her free throw, and Team USA would never let Canada get close again.
In the final minute of the game, Canada cut the lead back to single digits after a desperation 3-pointer from Arinn Young to cut the lead to seven points, but it was too little too late as Canada didn’t have enough time or a strong enough press to get the game within reach.
To book its ticket to Paris, Team USA women’s wheelchair basketball won 62-56 on Friday in an impressive showing against Canada. It was a balanced effort, and four different players scored in double digits, each having their own important moments.
“You want a battle at the end of the game,” Courtney Ryan said. “You want a battle for the gold medal.”
To open up the game, Rebecca Murray hit a baseline jumper like she did all throughout the semifinals match against Brazil. Quickly, though, Canada passed the ball down the court twice and Tara Llanes matched with a layup.
After a missed shot from each team, Team USA found itself with the ball in a five on four advantage as a Canada player fell to the ground. This left Murray open at the free-throw line, and she hit nothing but net.
After a few basket exchanges, Rosalie Lalonde snuck into the lane after hauling in a lob pass from Young and hit a layup to make it 10-8. But the USA scored four more and the quarter ended in a 14-10 lead for Team USA.
Unlike prior teams in the tournament Team USA played, Canada didn’t bow down to Team USA’s prowess. In the second quarter trailing by eight after the U.S. made three out of its first four shots, Canada went on a run of their own and scored eight straight points without missing a shot. Dandedau fueled Canada in the second quarter, and finished with 19 points and five assists. Still, the U.S. took Canada’s biggest punch and led by six points at half.
At half, Lindsey Zurburgg was evidently loose and confident despite it being a tight game. She was dancing along with the music and pointing to the crowd, and only took a few shots. To open the third quarter, she took the inbounds pass right away and no one closed out to her, so she took a shot from just inside the 3-point line and hit nothing but net to put the U.S. up eight.
Zurburgg was red hot and scored 10 points in the third quarter. Team USA outscored Canada 18-13 and extended its lead to 11.
“I knew at halftime that she was going to come out hot,” Ryan said. “When she has fun and lets loose that’s when she plays to her best and plays true USA basketball, so super proud of her.”
In the fourth quarter, Zurburgg missed her first two shots and cooled down, but Ryan picked up the slack and went on a run of her own. At the eight minute mark, she hit a jumper and then hit three more after in ensuing possessions without a miss. By then, Team USA led 54-41 with six minutes remaining and was in a comfortable position to win the game.
When the horn sounded the players were happy and celebrated ensuring a trip to the Paralympics, but they weren’t surprised in the result that they earned as well, as their camaraderie was evident all tournament.
“We secured our spot for Paris,” Ryan said. “We’re excited but the work isn’t over. This is just the beginning for Team USA.”
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