TORONTO, CANADA – Team Great Britain dominated the U.S. Men’s U23 Team in the first game of pool play at the 2017 IWBF U23 Men’s World Championships, 87-50. Great Britain, who led the game for over 39 minutes, commanded the game with a 16-point run in the second quarter for a 45-17 lead at the half. Team USA went on a nine-point run in the third quarter, cutting into Great Britain’s advantage, 62-39, and could not break Great Britain’s press.

Kyle Gribble of Elmhurst, Illinois and Fabian Romo of Missouri City, Texas, scored 16 points each to lead the U.S. team, with Lindsay Marshall of Stansbury Park, Utah, putting up 9 points in the game.

“We played a very talented team in Great Britain today, and didn’t do the things needed to compete with a good team,” said U23 Men’s Head Coach Jeremy Lade of Whitewater, Wisconsin. “We had too many turnovers and missed too many layups to be competitive, but these are fixable things and we are looking to make improvements and move forward.”

Great Britain had five players reach double figures with three scoring 14 points apiece: Jack Perry; Billy Bridge; and Ben Fox. Jake Robinson tabbed 13 points, and 2016 Paralympian Gregg Warburton scored 10.

Team GBR shot 57.7 percent from the floor, while Team USA shot 43.4 percent on the day.

The U.S. Men are still in contention, and will face defending champions Germany on Friday at 3 p.m. EDST. Germany and South Africa are scheduled to play later Thursday to open its tournament action.

Joining Lade on the sidelines are assistant coaches Christian Burkett of Seattle, Washington, and Scott Meyer of Columbia, Missouri. Kelly Fischbach will serve as the Team Leader, with Mike Lenser of Whitewater, Wisconsin working at the athletic trainer.

The United States was drawn into Pool B for the 12-team World Championships. Quarterfinals for the World Championships is slated for June 14, followed by 5th-10th place games and semi-finals on June 15. The gold and bronze medal games scheduled for June 16.

The U23 men’s wheelchair basketball program is an international development team that serves as NWBA pipeline to the U.S. Men’s National Team. This program provides elite youth athletes the opportunity to compete at the international level. Team USA has reached the championship game in three of the last five U23 World Championships, having won in 2005 and 2009. The United States claimed a bronze medal in 2001, and did not participate in 2013. 

2017 IWBF U23 Men’s World Championships Results

Toronto, Canada, June 8-16

Pool Play

Great Britain def. USA, 87-50

2017 IWBF U23 Men’s World Championships Schedule

Toronto, Canada, June 8-16 (All Times EDST / Home Team Listed Last)

June 9 at 3 p.m.

Germany vs. USA

June 10 at 8 a.m.

France vs. USA

June 11 at 12 p.m.

USA vs. Japan

June 12 at 12 p.m.

South Africa vs. USA

June 14

11th/12th Place Game at 10 a.m.

Quarterfinals at 12 p.m.; 3 p.m.; 6 p.m.; 8 p.m.

June 15

9th/10th Place Game at 10 a.m.

7th/8th Place Game at 12 p.m.

5th/6th Place Game at 3 p.m.

Semi-Finals at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

June 16

Bronze Medal Game at 10 a.m.

Gold Medal Game at 12 p.m.

2017 IWBF U23 Men’s World Championships Pools

Toronto, Canada, June 8-16

Pool A: Turkey, Iran, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Italy

Pool B: Great Britain, Japan, United States, France, South Africa, Germany