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U.S. Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team Defeats Japan in First Game of Osaka Cup
// U.S. Paralympics
// February 13, 2008
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Loraine Gonzales' 18 points paced the U.S. in a 53-48 victory over Japan.
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A short-handed U.S. Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team overcame a sluggish start to defeat Japan, 53-48, in the first game of the Osaka Cup on Thursday.
The host team came out strong early, using a strong defensive effort to take a seven-point lead after the first quarter. After playing to a draw in the second quarter, the U.S. faced a 26-19 halftime deficit.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point for the U.S. The team began firing on all cylinders offensively and put the clamps on defensively, outscoring Japan 22-7 in the decisive frame. Despite a strong effort from Japan in the fourth quarter, the U.S. did not lose the lead at any point and held on for the five-point victory.
Despite the rocky start, the U.S. women had a very solid game shooting the basketball, hitting 50 percent of their shots from the floor and 75 percent from the free throw line.
Loraine Gonzales (San Marcos, Texas) led the U.S. with 18 points, while Becca Murray (Germantown, Wis.) and Sarah Castle (Champaign, Ill.) added 12 and eight, respectively.
In Thursday's other match-up, Australia defeated Canada, 45-40. The U.S. will play both teams on Friday - Canada in the morning, followed by Australia in the afternoon - to set the stage for the final round on Saturday.
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