SWNT concludes group action at Parapan American Games with victory over Colombia

(SANTIAGO, CHILE) – Team Canada defeated Colombia 71-25 on Tuesday, completing the sweep of the group stage at the Parapan American Games in Santiago.

Canada finished first in Group A and will play the second seed in Group B in the semifinals on Thursday.

Arinn Young (Legal, Alta.) and Kady Dandeneau (Pender Island, B.C.) each had 18 points to pace Canada in the victory. Rosalie Lalonde (Saint Clet, Que.) added 12 points, six assists and three rebounds, while Cindy Ouellet (Quebec City, Que.) chipped in seven points, eight assists and five rebounds.

“It feels really good to get a sweep in our pool,” said Tara Llanes (North Vancouver, B.C.). “I felt like we were playing as a team, we’re moving the ball – the rookies got in there, got in some good minutes. Just trying to prepare for what’s ahead and focus on that.”

Team Canada out-scored Colombia 19-4 in the third quarter and led 62-17 heading into the final period.

Tamara Steeves (Mississauga, Ont.) and Puisand Lai (Toronto, Ont.) each had points in the third.

Canada led 43-13 at halftime, paced by 12 points each from Young and Dandeneau.

Lalonde had five, while Ouellet and Llanes each had four.

“We got a lot of our subs in that don’t normally play, so I thought it was great for the team all-around – focus on what we need to work on and what we need to do going forward,” said Steeves.

Rookies Desiree Isaac-Pictou (Eel River Bar First Nation, N.B.) and Bethany Johnson (Winnipeg, Man.) also saw minutes in the victory.

Isaac-Pictou chipped in two points, five rebounds and two assists, while Johnson added four points, four rebounds and two assists.

“We’re pumped, honestly to be able to get them some buckets and get them in the key, and I think they’re having a good time out there,” Llanes said of the rookies. “I think everyone is being really supportive.”

Full stats from Tuesday’s game can be found here.

Santiago 2023 is a qualifier for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – one spot is available in each of the men’s and women’s competitions, with the gold medallists on each side qualifying for next summer’s Games. At the 2019 Parapan American Games, the SWNT captured gold, while the SMNT won silver.