September 25, 2004

U.S. stuns Canada

In the women’s semi-final, the U.S., stunned Canada, the three-time defending champions, 57-40. Danielle Peers of Edmonton was the top Canadian scorer with 10 points, Tracey Ferguson of Ottawa added eight while Chantal Benoit of Orleans, Ont., and Sabrina Pettinicchi of Montreal scored six points each.

The Americans led 15-9 after the first quarter and 35-19 at the half.

“They buried us in the first quarter and we were never able to recover,” said Marnie Abbott of Vancouver, a member of the last three Paralympic champion winning teams. “We got overanxious and never found our groove. But this is a great tournament for women’s wheelchair basketball. All the teams have really improved and any of the four semi-finalists was a contender for gold. We played the U.S., a lot leading up to the Games and we knew they’d be dangerous.”

Canada plays Germany or Australia for the bronze.

reprinted with permission