In a winless team battle, Canada scored a 26-point performance from Reed De’Aeth in a 58-56 overtime win over France at the U23 Men’s Wheelchair Basketball World Championship.
A native of Sherwood Park, Alta., he added 23 rebounds and three assists while Garrett Ostepchuk had 12 points and five assists, while Collin Lalonde contributed six points and four assists.
“Look at veterans like Reed, Garrett and Collin: I’m also throwing props at Austin MacLellan today,” Canada manager Darrell Nordell told Basketball Canada. “I think Austin had been playing very well even when he arrived. I think he played very well today and showed patience. »
Reed De’Aeth scored a record 26 points as Canada beat France 58-56 in overtime to complete the group stage of the IWBF Men’s U23 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship in Phuket, Thailand. tuesday.
“It’s really cool to get a win, and you can’t train in games like this where you have to go to overtime, stick together and win,” said Darrell Nordell, men’s under-23 coach. year. “I am happy for the athletes, they themselves are happy. It’s a learning process, we’re getting better with every game. »
Canada will face South Africa in the relegation round on Wednesday at 12 p.m. ET.
“We have already faced them in an exhibition match. They have some very quick players,” Nordell said. “You can’t underestimate South Africa. They play every minute, every possession. They gave us a good game in our exhibition game. »
France cancel 6-point deficit to force OT
Against France, the Canadians shot 39% from the field, keeping the opponent at a success rate of 33%. Canada also converted a third of their three-point attempts.
In overtime, Ben Hagkull’s free throw with 1:37 remaining gave the Canadians a 55-54 lead, which kept France at bay.
France forced overtime by erasing a six-point lead in the fourth quarter, beating Canada 14-8.
The Canadians started the second half with a 7-2 streak and took a 10-point lead midway through the quarter, but France struggled at nearly 42-36 heading into the fourth.
Canada trailed 8-2 at the start but came out alone 6-2 to make it a two-point game with 3:56 left in the first quarter and led 13-11 in the second. De’Aeth beat the Canadian scorers with seven points in the quarterfinals, one more than Ostepchuk.
Canada beat France 16-13 in the second quarter for a 29-24 lead in the first half.
The tournament is usually held every four years, but the 2021 edition was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canada last stood on the podium in 2001, its second consecutive gold after the inaugural tournament in 1997.
Canada Remaining Program
- September 14 (12:00 a.m. ET) Canada-South Africa, relegation round
List of players
- Reed De’Aeth – Sherwood Park, Alb.
- Collin Lalonde- St-Clet, What.
- Lionel Tamoki – Montréal
- Gabriele Giguère – Drummondville, Que.
- Austin MacLellan – Fredericton, N.-B.
- Josh Brown – East St. Paul, Man.
- Ben Hagkull – Chilliwack, C.-B.
- Garrett Ostepchuk – Reine
- Matteo Norris – Winnipeg
- Matthieu Wilton – Langley, C.-B.
- Joel Ewart – Prince George, C.-B.
- Kyrell Sopotik – Saskatoon
