Canada’s female wheelchair basketball team extended their winning streak to 3-0 in the preliminary round of the world championships held in Ottawa. They secured a hard-fought 66-62 victory over China at TD Place. Kady Dandeneau, a seasoned player from Pender Island, B.C., showcased an outstanding performance with 37 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Arinn Young, hailing from St. Albert, Alta., also shined with a triple-double, contributing 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead Canada to victory in Group A after a close match that saw the teams tied at 30-30 during halftime. The game remained tense until the final moments, with Canada only holding a slim 47-46 lead entering the last quarter, thanks to a crucial three-pointer from Dandeneau. She sealed the win by drawing a foul, scoring, and converting the ensuing free throw in the dying seconds of the game.
China’s Lin Suiling led her team with 19 points and 12 assists, while Zhang Xuemei added 18 points and 13 rebounds. Canada displayed strong shooting, hitting 51% from the field and 30% from beyond the three-point line. The Canadian women’s team will face Brazil next at TD Place before concluding their preliminary matches against Great Britain at Carleton University. In Group B, the United States and the Paralympic champion Netherlands also boast undefeated records with 3-0 standings. The women’s team commenced their championship journey with a 76-51 victory over Spain, followed by a dominant 79-30 win against Australia. Meanwhile, the Canadian men’s team holds a 2-1 record in Ottawa. Live coverage of both the men’s and women’s tournaments can be streamed on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.