Canada Concludes 2015 Americas Wheelchair Basketball Challenge in Toronto With 3-2 Record

(Toronto, Ont.) The host Canadian Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team concluded the 2015 Americas Wheelchair Basketball Challenge with a 3-2 record after falling 67-54 to the United States on Thursday night at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto.

Team Canada dug itself into an early hole after a slow start and trailed the undefeated Americans 18-8 after the first quarter. Canada stemmed the tide after the opening frame, backed by the veteran leadership of Scarborough native Adam Lancia, who dropped a game-high 19 points for the Canadian side. Teammate Nik Goncin, of Regina, Sask., tallied 17 points. Ultimately the American depth proved to be too much to overcome on this night. Carter Arey led the Team USA (5-0) with 14 points, while 10 of 11 American players hit the scoresheet.

Brazil (2-3) defeated winless Argentina 71-53 in the other tilt on Thursday. Luciano Silva was the top point producer for Brazil with 18 points, while Gelson Silva Junior provided secondary scoring with 15 points. Fernando Ovejero finished the game with a team-high 13 points for Argentina (0-5).

The friendly tournament offered a sneak peek of some of the top teams set to compete at the Toronto 2015 (TO2015) Parapan American Games in August. Team Canada is the reigning Paralympic gold medallist and is in the hunt for a top two finish at the Parapan Am Games in order to qualify for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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The Canadian men return to the hardwood March 30 – April 2, 2015 at the Lakeshore Cup friendly tournament in Birmingham, Alabama.

About Team Canada

The Senior Men’s National Team went undefeated at the London 2012 Paralympics to capture their third gold medal in four Paralympic Games. It is the latest accomplishment in a sport dynasty that has placed them on the podium at four consecutive Paralympics and at five of the last six world championships.

About Wheelchair Basketball Canada

Wheelchair Basketball Canada is the national sports governing body responsible for the organization of the sport in Canada. It is a non-profit, charitable organization that is committed to excellence in the development, support and promotion of wheelchair basketball programs and services for all Canadians from grassroots to high performance. Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport in which Canada is held in high esteem around the world for winning a combined six gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in the last six Paralympic Games.

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