Australia trounces Brazil 66-30

Five-time Paralympian Liesl Tesch led the Australian women's team to a 66-30 trouncing of Brazil in a pool A preliminary game.

Tesch registered 23 points, more than double the points scored by any other player, to keep the Athens 2004 silver medalist undefeated after two games in the tournament. She also led the game with six steals. Kylie Gauci made the game-high number of assists dishing out eight. Two-thirds of Australia's points were in the paint.

Brazil played aggressively, but allowed 27 turnovers which alone produced 18 of Australia's points. Lacking the Australians' aggressiveness, Brazil had two steals compared to Australia's 17. Lia Soares Martin grabbed 12 rebounds, the most of any player in the game.

Thus far in the tournament, Australia is 2-0 and Brazil is 0-2. Both teams will play their third pool A game on Tuesday at the USTB Gymnasium (Australia vs. USA, Brazil vs. Great Britain)

US skims past Germany 42-38

Full-court press and successful free throws made the difference in helping the United States skim past Germany 42-38 in their first pool A preliminary game held Monday, September 8 at the National Indoor Stadium.

After leading 17-7 at the end of the first quarter, Germany gave way to the US team's full-court press and committed 22 turnovers by game's end.

The United States made only 26 percent of its field goal attempts and 27 percent of its two-point shots, compared to 35 percent and 39 percent respectively by Germany. The US team outscored Germany at the foul line, which proved to be a decisive factor in the victory.

The United States made 59 percent of their free throw attempts, including Jen Ruddell's clutch free throw with less than a minute on the clock that gave them a five-point lead. Christina Ripp paced the US team in points scored (11) and assists (5).

Marina Mohnen was Germany's top scorer with 11 points. She was also the game's top rebounder, with 14 rebounds, all of which were defensive rebounds.

This win brings the two teams' records to 1-0 for the United States, and Germany is 1-1.

Team USA will take on Australia in its next pool A preliminary game on Tuesday at the USTB Gymnasium.

Germany also plays Australia in their next pool A preliminary game on Wednesday at the National Indoor Stadium.

(BOCOG September 8, 2008)