Serio came out with a look of determination to start the game, and clearly wanted to ensure he had a direct impact offensively.
“Everyone knows we had a tough game against Germany yesterday, so I just wanted to come out assertive and give my teammates a little more confidence,” said Serio.
He sure did as he approached a triple double (12
points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds) in the first half. He did this at a highly efficient 67% field goal percentage.
The Iranians felt the brunt of that tone as they attempted to get into an offensive rhythm. The Americans disrupted each set that Iran tried to run creating 11 turnovers in the first 20 minutes played. Team USA turned defense into offense and when combined with their hallmark speed, they logged 18 points off turnovers during that same time.
Jon Boie was one of two starters who played the entire first half. His impact could be seen in his remarkable chair position, including when he was matching up against taller and stronger Iranians.
“We knew they were going to push hard, and I was excited for them to come at me, because they weren’t gonna get by,” said Boie on his defensive performance.
You could often hear Coach Lykins and the bench praising Boie’s defensive effort from the sideline. Coach Lykins continued his praise for Boie’s defense after the game.
“JB’s defense has really improved over the last couple years. He’s been put in a position at practice where he’s had to guard higher point players and has done a good job,” he said.
Coach Lykins played a variety of line-ups in the third and fourth quarters.
“We have 5 line-ups we’ve been running all summer, so we wanted to get them some looks and break a sweat, so that they’re prepared as the intensity picks up as the tournament continues,” said Lykins.
The efficiency in the second half was not as high on offense, but the team continued to apply suffocating defense. During the last five minutes of the third quarter, the fifth of six turnovers was a 24 second clock violation. Iranian number 12, Mohammad Hasan Sayari, acquiesced to the pressure and merely set the ball down at the timeline as the shot clock expired.
Ten members of Team USA logged double digit minutes at Ariake Arena, and all eleven who played scored a field goal. That includes all three first-time Paralympians Jon Boie, Ryan Neiswender and Jorge Sanchez.
USA will face Great Britain, the team that relegated them to silver in the 2018 IWBF World Championships, tomorrow at Musashino Forest Sports Plaza (5:00PM Japan Standard Time). Team USA was quick to take the win against Iran and turn their focus on their game against Great Britain.
“We’ll enjoy this on the bus ride and start to prepare right after that. GB’s a good team and defending World Champions. They lost to Germany today, so they’re gonna be extra motivated. Tough game, play better to take care of them,” said Coach Lykins.
Serio agreed that it will be a heated match up.
“There’s no secret that we have a rivalry with GB and a history of close games over many years. Excited for the chance to play them again. Tomorrow’s about improving on this path to our goal, which is to win a Gold Medal,” he said. “They have a lot of experience and firepower on their team. We need to dictate the game and play at our pace, especially defensively.”
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