FIBA/IWBF - USA beat Germany to women's wheelchair basketball gold

BEIJING (Paralympics) - The United States beat Germany to capture the gold medal in the women's  wheelchair basketball event for the second consecutive Paralympics while Australia snatched bronze by defeating Japan.

The USA women completed an unbeaten run at 7-0 in Beijing with a 50-38 win over the Germans on Monday.

Christina Ripp, playing at her third Paralympics, came off the bench and scored 16 points for the Americans, who trailed 12-9 early in the second quarter but then turned up the intensity on defense and rolled to victory.

By half-time, the USA led 23-16 and it was 39-29 by the end of the third quarter. Germany cut the deficit to 43-36 midway through the final frame but the defending champions held on for the triumph.

Ripp came up with three of her team's six steals and the USA forced Germany into 19 turnovers in the game.

"I don't think I've ever been part of a team that plays defense the way we did during this tournament," Ripp said.

"It was a total team effort and everything came together for us tonight.

"I'm proud to be a part of this team and it's an unbelievable feeling to share this achievement with my teammates."

"Our defense has always been the cornerstone of our success," said USA coach Ron Lykins.

"We were just a little out of sync in the first quarter and when the press line-up came in we really settled into our game and started to play at our tempo.

"They did a remarkable job and I'm immensely proud of the effort of the whole team."

Marina Mohnen finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds for Germany. The silver was the country's first medal since the 1988 Seoul Games when the Federal Republic of Germany also came in second.

Australia, meanwhile, overcame 21 turnovers to defeat Japan 53-47 in the battle for third place.

Australia got 16 points and 14 rebounds from captain Liesl Tesch.

Kylie Gauci finished with 10 points and Cobie Crispin 10 for the Gliders while Mari Amimoto had a game- high 18 in defeat for the Japanese.

Tesch, playing in her fifth Paralympics, said: "It means I can't retire because I've got two silver and a bronze and I need one of that other color still.

"So back in the wheelchair this old horse will go.''

Australia lost to the USA in the title game four years ago in Athens and also suffered a semi-final defeat against them this year.

"We're pretty happy to have medaled," Tina McKenzie said.

"Unfortunately, it's not the color we wanted, but to have a bronze and be top three in the world is pretty special."

FIBA