OTTAWA, Ontario — The U.S. men’s wheelchair basketball team erased an early deficit with 15 unanswered points in the second quarter and went on to defeat Brazil 54-42 on Sept. 11 at TD Place in the 2026 IWBF World Championships.

Jake Williams led the U.S. with 18 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals while playing all 40 minutes. Fabian Romo and Jorge Salazar added nine points apiece, while Jeromie Meyer scored eight in 7:40 off the bench.

BRAZIL SETS THE EARLY PACE

Williams scored the opening basket, but Brazil quickly found its offense. Cristiano Clemente’s three-pointer put Brazil ahead 5-2, and he later converted a basket and free throw to extend the margin to 10-5. Eduardo da Silva’s layup made it 12-7 before Brian Bell scored late in the quarter to cut Brazil’s lead to 12-9.

The uneven opening reflected what Meyer saw from the offense throughout portions of the game.

“We were very streaky for as much firepower as we have,” Meyer said. “There were moments where we looked really good, and then there are moments where we need to be less hesitant, more decisive.”

SECOND-QUARTER RUN

Clemente opened the second quarter with a free throw to give Brazil a 13-9 lead. Romo answered with a three-pointer, then scored again to put the U.S. in front 14-13.

That was the start of the game’s decisive scoring run.

Over a 6:37 span, the U.S. scored 15 unanswered points. Romo accounted for seven during the run, Williams scored six and Meyer added the basket that made it 24-13 with 2:13 remaining in the half.

Brazil cut into the margin before halftime, but Meyer scored again and AJ Fitzpatrick added a jumper as the U.S. took a 28-20 lead into the break.

Meyer said the response was less about a tactical overhaul than maintaining discipline throughout the game.

“I think all of us at this level understand that it’s going to be a game all the way to the fourth quarter,” Meyer said. “It’s always going to come down to the last few possessions of each quarter and seeing who’s got the most discipline to ride it out and get to the end.”

DEPTH KEEPS USA IN CONTROL

Meyer opened the third quarter with consecutive baskets to stretch the U.S. advantage to 32-20. Brazil answered with three-pointers from Clemente and Anderson Ferreira, but Williams responded with a three of his own and later added a basket and free throw. Jorge Sanchez’s late three-pointer sent the U.S. into the fourth quarter ahead 41-29.

The rotation mixed long-established national-team players with athletes newer to the senior group. All 12 players on the 2026 U.S. roster have Paralympic experience, including 10 members of the Paris 2024 gold-medal team.

Fitzpatrick described himself as one of the newer players in that group and said the range of experience gives him opportunities to learn while still relating to teammates going through the same process.

His focus when he enters the game is straightforward.

“I’m kind of locked in thinking about what my job is on the court and what I need to do to make the other four on the court better,” Fitzpatrick said. He said that responsibility also carries to the bench, where his job is to support teammates “through the ups and downs during the game.”

SALAZAR HELPS CLOSE IT OUT

Brazil twice cut the margin to 10 early in the fourth quarter, the second time on Clemente’s basket that made it 43-33 with 7:28 remaining. The U.S. answered with seven straight points.

Jared Arambula made two free throws, Salazar stole the ball on Brazil’s next possession and then converted a basket and free throw to push the lead to 48-33. Williams followed with a layup for a 50-33 advantage with 5:56 remaining.

Brazil never got closer than 10 points in the fourth quarter, and the U.S. finished with the 54-42 win.

The U.S. shot 37.1 percent from the field while limiting Brazil to 28.6 percent. The Americans held a 42-39 rebounding edge and finished with 18 assists on 23 made field goals. Brazil committed 14 turnovers compared with 10 for the U.S.