TORONTO, June 22, 2014 /CNW/ - Team Canada captured its third consecutive win at the 2014 Women's World Wheelchair Basketball Championship with a 76-53 victory over China on Sunday at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, Ont.
The Canadian side stormed out of the gate with a sense of purpose, burying China on the scoreboard en route to a 43-26 lead through two quarters. The momentum and physical tone of the game carried over into the second half, as the Canadian women continued to fight through China's defence and drive hard to the basket.
"It was a really good team win," said Quebec City, Que. native Cindy Ouellet. "We just have really great team chemistry. We need to keep working together and follow our game plan and try to get a win in our next game."
The trio of Janet McLachlan, Ouellet and Katie Harnock led the Canadian effort on both sides of the ball. McLachlan, of Vancouver, B.C., posted a double-double with 27 points and 17 rebounds. Ouellet set the tone with her lightning-quick speed and also tallied a double-double with 20 points and a career-high 12 assists. Harnock, of Elmira, Ont., also added 15 points in the win.
The Canadian victory erased the sting of a loss to China in the last meeting between the two teams, which took place at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and forced Canada to settle for sixth place.
Team Canada will next face reigning Paralympic champion Germany at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, June 23.
The hometown Canadian women are in pursuit of an unprecedented seventh consecutive podium finish at the world championship, and the tournament is Canada's first major test on the road to the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games and the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
The tournament runs June 20-28 and is the largest women's world championship in history, featuring teams from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru and the United States.
All games of the competition are being webcast live online through CBC Sports' free desktop video player and SportsCanada.TV's digital platforms, as well as through the official tournament website. Tickets are also on sale online and at the Mattamy Athletic Centre box office.
For complete results and more information please visit www.2014wheelchairbasketball.com / #2014wcbasketball.
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About the Event
Over 400 athletes, coaches, officials, delegates, and volunteers will attend the 2014 WWWBC that features 12 participating countries. Canadians can catch a sneak peek at the top 12 female wheelchair basketball players in Canada, including emerging local talent and highly decorated stars, preparing to compete in one of the most fiercely competitive and exciting spectator sports to be played at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
About Team Canada
Team Canada is in pursuit of an unprecedented seventh straight podium performance, remarkably, having medalled at every single world championship including the capture of four consecutive gold medals (1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006), and bronze medals in 1990 and 2010.
About the Host
Wheelchair Basketball Canada is the host of the 2014 Women's World Wheelchair Basketball Championship. The event marks Canada's fourth opportunity to host a landmark international wheelchair basketball championship - having previously hosted the Men's World Championship in 1994, the inaugural U23 Men's World Championships in 1997, and the first-ever U25 Women's World Championships in 2011.
Image with caption: "Team Canada's Cindy Ouellet faces China at the 2014 Women's World Wheelchair Basketball Championship on June 22, 2014 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, Ont. (CNW Group/Wheelchair Basketball Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140622_C8334_PHOTO_EN_41659.jpg
SOURCE: Wheelchair Basketball Canada
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