FIBA/IWBF – Japanese, USA clinch top spots in group play

BEIJING (Paralympics Women) – Japan and the United States of America each sealed first-place finishes in their respective groups on day four of the women’s wheelchair basketball event at the Paralympics in Beijing.

Ikumi Takubo and Mari Amimoto fired the Japanese to a resounding victory over the Netherlands while defense reigned supreme for the Americans in their blowout win over Great Britain.

Here is a look at all the action.

Japan 65 Netherlands 49

Forward Ikumi Takubo and guard Mari Amimoto combined for 49 points to lead unbeaten Japan past the Netherlands 65-49 to clinch first place in group B at the USTB Gymnasium.

Japan ended the preliminary round unbeaten after defeating China, Mexico and upsetting world champions Canada on Tuesday.

They will now enjoy a day-off before facing the fourth-seeded team of group B in the quarter-finals at the National Indoor Stadium on Friday.

Japan only committed five turnovers while forcing the Dutch to turn the ball over 15 times.

The winners also won the battle of the boards, 42-25.

"All the Japanese women players did a fantastic job and their conditions are very good," coach Yoshiaki Iwasa said of his team. "Especially Mari Amimoto, our team's key player, played a very good role leading the team to win."

The Netherlands' top scorer was Cher Korver, who had 14 points. Inge Huitzing had 11 rebounds to go with her eight points.

The Netherlands (1-2) will meet China (1-2) in the last group B game at the USTB Gymnasium on Thursday.

USA 56 Great Britain 31

The United States secured first place in group A after forcing Great Britain to commit 17 turnovers in the first half and 29 in the game in a 56-31 demolition.

Loraine Gonzales led the Americans with 14 points, all of them in the paint, while Natalie Schneider added nine.

"We have 12 girls who really know how to play the game. That's our greatest strength," Gonzales said. "Sometimes we may have nights when we can't shoot as well as we normally do, but we also have a really great defense to fall back on."

No British player reached double figures in points. Caroline Maclean had a team-high nine and captain Caroline Matthews posted eight.

Great Britain (1-2) will play its last preliminary match against Germany while the USA will face Brazil.

Canada 62 China 44

Reigning world champion Canada eased past China 62-44 in its third group B game at the National Indoor Stadium on Wednesday with center Misty Thomas pouring in 14 points and claiming 10 of her team's 49 rebounds.

All 12 Canadians saw at least seven minutes of action in the game and contributed at least two points to the final tally.

Thus far in the tournament, Canada is 2-1 and China is 1-2.

"After a disappointing game yesterday [against Japan], we were very anxious to have a good start and a bit more of an exciting game today," said Thomas.

"We're always looking forward to playing. Every team is dangerous, and any team is capable. We have a great deal of respect for Mexico [who Canada will play Thursday]. They play hard. We hope to go out there as strong and as sharp as we were today."

Both teams will play their fourth pool B games on Thursday with Canada taking on Mexico and China facing the Netherlands.

Germany 64 Australia 56

Germany's aggressive offense in the closing minutes of the game earned the team a 64-56 win over Australia in group A.

German Center Marina Mohnen led the winners with 22 points and combined with Maren Butterbrodt to pull down 23 of the team's 42 rebounds.

"I think we could have made it easier on ourselves," said German guard Annika Zeyen.

"We were leading by 15 points at one stage. We didn't play well as a team, and everyone started to play for themselves. That's what went wrong."

Australia closed to within two with only a minute left but Germany had a pair of field goals and two successful free throw attempts to clinch the win.

Australian forward Cobi Crispin was the game's leading scorer with 23 points.

This win puts the teams' records at 2-2 for Australia and 2-1 for Germany.

Germany will play their fourth and final group A preliminary game against Great Britain on Thursday at the National Indoor Stadium. Australia has completed its preliminary games.

FIBA