By Nick Butler

Australia went one better than the silver medal they won at the London 2012 Paralympic Games ©Getty ImagesAustralia have secured their second consecutive World Wheelchair Basketball Championships title with a 63-57 victory over the United States in a pulsating final in Incheon today. 


The Australian side, known as the Rollers, lost their only match of the tournament against the US in the group stage so were determined to avoid a repeat of that situation, and they duly propelled themselves to a 22-13 lead after the opening quarter.

This lead was slowly whittled away by the US, who reduced the arrears to just four points at the halfway stage before briefly taking the lead in the third quarter.

But Australia then showed their class with a superb display in the final quarter to eventually win by six points. 
 
The Oceanian country move into second place in the all-time medals stakes, behind only the US, who were unable to add to their haul of six victories, the most recent of which came in 2002.

"I'm absolutely exhilarated," said Australian head coach Ben Ettridge.

"I've got the 12 best guys in the world and I'm so happy for them, and I'm proud of the guys, they're amazing and they have done a great job."

"We pride ourselves on our defence and that's what won it."

"Every time we play defence it's a war and today we gave them nothing, we made them shoot from the perimeter and it was our defence that won it."

Australia were on superb form in their victory over the US in the final ©InstagramAustralia were on superb form in their victory over the US in the final ©Instagram





Tristan Knowles led the way for Australia with a game-high 17 points, of which 12 came in the first half, while Shaun Norris and Justin Eveson each secured 11 points, and Bill Latham a further eight. 

Turkey, arguably the surprise package of the tournament, claimed third place after beating Spain 68-63 in an all-European bronze medal match, with Gem Gezinci claiming 19 points for the Turks. 

The top scorer award went to Sweden's Joakin Linden, who totalled an impressive 160 points at an average of 22.86 a game, despite his side finishing down in 13th place.

Shaun Norris of Australia was second with 115 points.

This result ends a season featuring two Wheelchair Basketball World Championships, with Canada securing the women's title with a 54-50 win over Germany in Toronto last month. 

Contact the writer of this story at nick.butler@insidethegames,biz


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