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Canada downs Spain in women’s wheelchair basketball world championship

Aug 18, 2018 | 12:22 PM

HAMBURG — Canada overcame a shaky start to beat Spain 63-34 on Saturday in women’s competition at the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships. 

Arinn Young of Legal, Alta., led Canada with 19 points while Cindy Ouellet of Quebec City added 14 as Canada evened its record at 1-1 through the first two preliminary round games. 

Kady Dandeneau of Toronto had 10 points and was named the player of the game.

“It was a big win and we needed that,” said Dandeneau. “It’s a good way to ease ourselves into our next game against Australia (on Sunday). It takes a lot to come back when you go down by 15 points. So I think that was really good for our team. It brings us all together.

“Hopefully we can get a good start against Australia because that is where we have been struggling so far in the tournament.”

Spain built a 17-2 lead early and ended the first quarter ahead 19-8. But the Canadians rallied through an 11-0 run to open the second quarter and ended the first half ahead 29-25.

“We have good players on the bench and who have worked hard all year,” said Canadian head coach Marc Antoine Ducharme. ”I have a lot of confidence in my bench and today they gave us another boost and different energy that worked well,”

Britain beat Canada 64-56 to open the tournament on Friday.

The Canadian Press