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Team USA Wins Silver Medal at 2017 IWBF America’s Qualifier

By NWBA, 08/29/17, 9:45PM CDT

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CALI, COLOMBIA – For the second time in the 2017 IWBF America’s Qualifier, the U.S. Women’s National Team suffered its second loss to Canada in the gold-medal game, 82-56. Canada came out strong in the first with a strong defensive line and built a 15-3 lead after 10 minutes. 

The Canadians continued its strong presence having an 11-point run, and forcing 23 Team USA turnovers that were converted into 31 points for Canada. 2016 Paralympian Cindy Oullett led Canada to the gold medal with 35 points. Three other Canadians found double digits on the night: Arinn Young (15 points); Kathleen Dandeneau (11 points); and Rosalie Lalonde (11 points).

The United States shot 51 percent from the floor and was 10 of 13 from the foul line. The U.S. Women also out rebounded Canada, 27-23.

2016 Paralympic gold medalist Abby Dunkin of New Braunfels, Texas, led Team USA in scoring with 19 points, and was joined by 2017 National Team rookie Lindsey Zurbrugg of Portland, Oregon, with 18 points.

The United States finished with an overall record of 3-2, and accomplished the goal of qualifying for the 2018 IWBF World Championships in Hamburg, Germany, in August.

NWBA Hall of Famer Trooper Johnson of San Lorenzo, California, serves as the U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach. He is assisted by Amy Spangler of Madison, Wisconsin, and Adam Kramer of Northport, Alabama. Also joining the team is athletic trainer Karla Franconi of Lexington, Kentucky, and Team Leader Kearstin Gehlhausen of Denver, Colorado.

This was the first step for the U.S. Women’s Team as they are focused on advancing through the quadrennial to defend its Rio Paralympic gold medal in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Last September, Team USA also managed to break two of their own records (most points in a game and largest margin of victory) en-route to the gold medal going 7-0 in the process.

Click here for the USA vs. Canada Box Score

IWBF America’s Qualifier

Cali, Colombia

August 23-30, 2017

Results (USA Record: 3-2)

USA def. Brazil, 55-53

Canada def. USA, 69-48

USA def. Argentina, 64-38

USA def. Colombia, 45-23

Gold-medal game: Canada def. USA, 82-56