Canada heads to quarter-finals at wheelchair basketball worlds

HAMBURG, Germany – Cindy Ouellet of Quebec City notched 26 points as Canada defeated Brazil 61-52 to conclude pool play in women’s action Thursday at the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships. 

Canada places third in pool A with three wins and two losses. They will face China (4-1), second in pool B, in a quarter-final on Thursday.

The win over Brazil (0-5) proved to be a tight match as both teams looked to end pool play on a high note. With the score within two to three possessions for most of the game, Canada made a statement in the fourth quarter by outscoring Brazil 18-8 en route to victory.

“They were strong and our shots didn’t fall in the beginning, but once it started working and we changed our defence a little bit we figured it out,” said Ouellet. “It was a little bit late, but better late than never.’’

Kady Dandeneau (Pender Island, B.C.) came off the bench to spark the offence with 18 points and Arinn Young (Legal, Alta.) added 12.

“Obviously this win was important for the rankings, but just mentally this win was important right before a quarter-final,’’ said Ouellet. ‘’We know everybody here is a good team and we have to be ready to show up right from the first quarter.”

Canada’s games will be livestreamed at Facebook.com/CDNParalympics, Facebook.com/wheelchairbasketball, cbcsports.ca and via the CBC Sports app

Team Canada information: http://www.wheelchairbasketball.ca/event/2018-world-wheelchair-basketball-championships/ 

Official website: https://iwbf.org/event/2018-world-championships/