Men's wheelchair basketball team confirm quarter-final place with Iran victory

Great Britain’s men confirmed their place in the wheelchair basketball quarter-finals with a comfortable 69-57 victory over Iran.

 

The Iranians started quickly but ParalympicsGB got into the game and did not relinquish the lead, the long-range shots from Abdi Jama key to strengthening the advantage.

 

In the second half, the experience of Terry

Bywater helped to secure the victory, the Paralympic veteran top-scoring with 18 points.

 

GB took a while to get going in the first half and despite four fouls by Iran in the first five minutes, they were not able to reduce a three-point deficit. 

 

That was until Bywater was brought on, the six-time Paralympian having an instant impact by sinking a three-pointer.  

 

Gregg Warburton then moved Great Britain into the lead, drawing an unsportsmanlike foul before scoring two free throws to ensure his side ended the quarter 20-15 in front. 

 

Bywater was electric at the start of the second quarter, using his pace to stream across the court and score before missing a lay-up as he was moving so fast.  

 

ParalympicsGB’s defence was also water-tight able to keep Iranian dangerman Mohammadhassan Sayari quiet. 

 

Three assists from Bywater to captain Ian Sagar, the final one beating the buzzer, saw Britain lead 40-31 at half-time and Jama’s consistent scoring from outside the key enhanced the advantage after the break.  

 

The Iranian defence did improve, however, meaning the nine-point gap remained the same after three quarters, a late score from Harry Brown seeing ParalympicsGB lead 50-41, before they extended the advantage to 12 during the fourth and the 69-57 triumph moves them top of Group B with a game to go. 

 

Bywater said: “Overall for me, it was just a fantastic team performance.

 

“After the amazing win yesterday over the reigning champions the USA, our usual starting five didn’t quite get going but that was because of the quick turnaround and a little bit of fatigue set in. 

 

“We went with a different unit today; we got the job done and I think it just goes to show how good we are as a group. 

 

“We have got a fantastic opportunity tomorrow to top the group which will set us up nicely in the quarter-final but, again, we are at the biggest tournament in the world and Australia are going to be a very difficult game. 

 

“We need to get back we need to rest up because we have had an early start today and we go again tomorrow.”