HAMBURG, GERMANY - The two originators of wheelchair basketball, United States and Great Britain, met up in pool play with an intense game, where the United States pulled away in the third quarter for a 66-59 victory at the 2018 IWBF World Championships. The game announcers billed as “The Final before the Final” did not disappoint, with numerous lead changes and highlight plays throughout. Jake Williams of Milwaukee, Wisconsin served as the tipping point in the see-saw battle, scoring a game-high 23 points (10-of-22 shooting, 3-of-6 from three-point range) to go along with seven rebounds and six assists. The ever-present Steve Serio of Westbury, New York made an impact as well, tallying 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals.

"I'm just trying to go out there one possession at a time and give it 100 percent," said Williams. "I mean, I'm tired. Much more tired than I have been."

With these two teams playing each other on a frequent basis and a total of 11 times in the World Championships, it was a matter of feeling each other out and seeing which schemes were rolled out to start the first quarter.

Great Britain kept up with Team USA’s trademark up-tempo pace without being rushed, ending the opening period up 22-18. The referees let both teams play fairly physical and not many fouls were called. The gym echoed with thuds, screeches and shouts as players had hard drives in the paint. Williams kept Team USA afloat with 10 points in the first, including a deep, 30-foot three-pointer to cut the Great Britain lead to four.

The size of Great Britain’s Lee Manning dictated the second quarter, as his albatross-like wingspan gobbled up rebounds that led to numerous second chance points. The U.S. defense tried to contain Manning, who shot 2/6 in the second frame, but he still had a strong 12 points and 11 rebounds (4 offensive) going into the halftime break.

The Americans struggled to hit from outside all night; no U.S. player besides Williams scored a three-pointer in the contest. U.S. Head coach Ron Lykins made to a concerted effort to get his team to the attack paint, led by sixth-man Matt Scott of Detroit, Michigan. This put an onus on refs to call fouls, and got the British in the foul trouble.

Great Britain started the third-quarter with an easy lay-up for Harry Brown on a set play. That would be their only bucket until the six minute mark -- the U.S. defense turned up, outscoring the British 21-9 in the third quarter. Early foul trouble for the Brits revealed the U.S.’s greatest strength, its depth. The British only got two points from its bench through three quarters. British starter Greg Warburton’s wheelchair had frequent mechanical issues; that combined with foul trouble plaguing stars Manning and Brown that gave the Americans a window. The U.S. took its first lead at 39-37, on a savvy mid-range jumper from Brian Bell of Birmingham, Alabama. That came in the midst of a 9-0 run late in third, capped off by a Williams three-pointer.

"We battled through," said Bell. "They some tough shots on us in the beginning, but we were able to battle through, comeback, and get the job done in the end."

In the fourth, both teams played pretty evenly. Team USA pulled away with a lead as large as 13 points in several instances, and it never seemed like Great Britain had a chance to get back in the game.

Statistically, the U.S. took advantage from the team on the other side of pond. Great Britain turned the ball over seven times, which led to 21 points off those turnovers. Should these teams meet again in the tournament, the U.S. will need to address their rebounding. The Brits outrebounded the U.S. 41-34, with a 10-3 advantage on second chance points.

"That's a tough [Great Britain] team," said Bell. "A bunch of young guys that I believe are the future of GB [sic]."

The U.S. men are 2-0 overall in pool play with their final preliminary game coming on Monday against South Korea at 8:00 p.m Eastern. The U.S. men remain the only undefeated team in their pool, which includes Poland and Great Britain.

Also joining Lykins on the sidelines are assistant coaches Robb Taylor of Auburn, Alabama, and John Sikora of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Scott Meyer of Columbia, Missouri, serves as the Team Leader, with Mary Vacala of Savannah, Georgia, filling the athletic trainer position.

The U.S. has returned home with a medal from every World Championships, except for the 2014 World Championships, since its inception in 1990, accumulating two gold medals and four silver medals. USA has played for the gold medal in six of the last seven IWBF World Championships.

2018 IWBF World Championships

Hamburg, Germany

August 16 - 26, 2018

2018 IWBF World Championships Results

USA def. Poland, 82-51

USA def. Great Britain, 66-59

U.S. Men’s Schedule for 2018 IWBF World Championships

8/18 vs Poland 3:30 AM (Eastern/New York)

8/19 vs Great Britain 2:15 PM

8/20 vs South Korea 8:00 AM

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The U.S. men play their second match of the IWBF Championships against Great Britain today at 2:15 PM, EST. Stay here to watch the game, get live stats and post-game recaps!

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