USA Triumphs in Intense Wheelchair Basketball Semifinal Against China
In a thrilling rematch of the Tokyo 2020 semifinal, the United States women’s wheelchair basketball team secured a hard-fought 50-47 victory over China at the Bercy Arena. This win advances the U.S. team to the finals, overcoming the memory of their 41-36 loss to China three years ago.
The game was characterized by China’s aggressive defensive strategy, reminiscent of the previous encounter. “We knew that it was going to be a battle whatever game we were playing,” said Becca Murray, the USA’s second-leading scorer. “It’s really emotional. We had the same group in Tokyo. As a group, getting over that Chinese hill was great for us.”
China’s pressing tactics in the backcourt, particularly after missed shots, initially caused difficulties for the U.S. team. The American side struggled with ball control in the first half, committing ten turnovers compared to China’s four. Despite these challenges, the U.S. team maintained an impressive 50% shooting accuracy in the opening quarters.
As the game progressed, the U.S. team adapted their approach. Rose Hollermann played a crucial role, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive efforts. “It’s exhausting playing through a defense like that,” Hollermann commented. “What we did was instead of focusing on offense, we focused on our defense. They might play hard and be super aggressive, but we can always try and get the ball back by doing the same thing.”
The third quarter marked a shift in momentum for the U.S. team. They refined their strategy against China’s pressure, opting for shorter, more controlled passes. “We just needed to settle down, trust each other, and throw shorter passes instead of getting that long pass over,” Murray explained.
A pivotal 10-2 run late in the third quarter, culminating in a three-point play by Murray, gave the U.S. its first lead since the opening period.
China’s Suiling Lin delivered an outstanding performance with a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists. However, China’s overall shooting percentage of 37% hindered their efforts to capitalize on Lin’s playmaking.
The U.S. team’s resilience and strategic adjustments ultimately proved decisive, securing their place in the finals and setting the stage for an exciting championship match.