Australia men wheelchair basketball paralympics team, the Rollers, started strong in their first match of the tournament but ultimately fell to the Netherlands 66-55. Despite leading at halftime, they couldn’t hold off the Dutch team in the second half.
The Rollers had a solid start, leading by four points at the end of the first quarter, thanks to key players Bill Latham and Tom O’Neill-Thorne. They maintained their lead through the first half, ending with a 30-28 advantage.
Read Also: Where to Watch the 2024 Paralympics in Sydney: Key Locations and Times
However, the game shifted after halftime. The Netherlands, led by their star player Mendel Op den Orth, came back with a fierce determination. Op den Orth scored consistently, helping his team take control of the game. By the end of the third quarter, the Netherlands was ahead 44-40.
The Dutch extended their lead in the final quarter. Although the Rollers, who have won Paralympic gold twice before, managed to reduce the deficit to single digits, they couldn’t match the Netherlands’ scoring power. Op den Orth finished with 26 points, the highest in the game, showing why he’s one of the top players at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Bill Latham was Australia’s top scorer with 16 points.
Read Also: Aussies Can Collect Limited Edition $2 Coins for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics
The Rollers have little time to recover, as their next match is against Spain at 8:45 PM AEST on Friday. Their final pool game is scheduled for Sunday against the USA, a team known for its strength.
Australia has a proud history in wheelchair basketball, with gold medals from the Atlanta 1996 and Beijing 2008 Paralympics. Watch all the action from Paris 2024 live on Channel 9, 9Gem, and 9Now, or stream every event ad-free on Stan Sport.
