Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Advances to Bronze Medal Game

The women’s wheelchair basketball team fought down to the wire as China escaped with a 41-36 victory on Thursday night at the Ariake Arena. 

At the start of the fourth quarter, the U.S. only trailed by two, 27-25, with a basket from Natalie Schneider in a back-and-forth battle. With two minutes remaining in the game, Rose Hollermann made a free throw to close the gap, 33-30, and give the U.S. a chance to regain the lead. China continued its momentum with a pair of free throws to maintain the lead, 33-27, when Lindsey Zurbrugg sank a three-pointer from deep to bring the game back within three points. Team USA couldn’t overcome the deficit as they took second to China in the semifinal game. Hollermann led Team USA with 13 points and Zurbrugg added nine.

Team USA will compete against Germany for a bronze medal on Sept. 4 and China will take on the Netherlands for the gold medal match.