Canada delivers dramatic 66-62 win over China in women’s play at wheelchair basketball worlds

OTTAWA – Canada remained undefeated in women’s play at the wheelchair basketball world championships Saturday with a 66-62 victory over China.

The game was a rematch of the 2024 bronze medal game at the 2024 Paralympic Games which China won.

‘’That felt really good,’’ said two-time Paralympian Kady Dandeneau, on the floor for all 40 minutes and the game’s top scorer with 36 points as well as 10 rebounds.

‘’China is very disciplined and threw some different stuff at times that we weren’t usde to seeing.’’

Canada improves to three wins and no losses atop Group A while China drops to 1-2.  Great Britain (2-0) face Spain (1-1) later Saturday.

Canada trailed 18-16 after a quarter, it was 30-30 at the half and Canada was up 47-46 after three.

Arinn Young, who posted a triple-double with 19 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds, put Canada ahead for good with 70 seconds remaining, making it 63-62.

The Chinese regained possession but could not position themselves for a clear shot. They were assessed for a shot-clock violation, a major blunder, with 24 seconds remaining.

Dandeneau charged back to extend the lead to three and drawing a foul on the play. She sank her free throw with 17.7 seconds and the four-point deficit was too much to overcome for China in the dying moments.

‘’Even at the end of the game we just stuck to our game plan and what worked,’’ said Dandeneau, from Pender Island, B.C. ‘’Arinn was just killing it today as the floor general. I can’t say enough about what she’s done as a leader on this team.’’

National team rookie Mercy Nyakundi of Hamilton was on the floor for nearly 30 minutes. She scored six points and was a defensive standout.

‘’It was a stressful game,’’ said Nyakundi, 21. ‘’It was the first time I played China and I know there’s a lot of history with them. But we overcame every single challenge we faced.’’

Canada continues its preliminary round Sunday at 2:45 p.m. (ET)  against Brazil (1-2). CBC Gem will carry the game live. Brazil beat winless Australia 44-41 on Saturday.

The Canadian men (2-1) meanwhile are preparing for their Round of 16 game on Monday against an opponent still to be determined.