U.S. Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team Cruises Past Great Britain, 56-31

The U.S. Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team (3-0) defeated Great Britain (1-2), 56-31, in a preliminary round game on Wednesday to remain undefeated in pool play. The U.S. was never challenged in this contest and finally had the opportunity to work its inside game.

-This was a good effort from the team," said U.S. head coach Ron Lykins (Stillwater, Minn.). -We've gone with faster line-ups, as opposed to bigger line-ups, in the first couple of games and haven't had a chance to really play a lot in the half-court like we did in this one. The team did a nice job making that adjustment today."

Great Britain simply didn't have the height or strength to match-up with American big girls Loraine Gonzales (Ft. Worth, Texas) and Natalie Schneider (Lincoln, Neb.), both playing in their first Paralympic Games. Team USA pounded the ball into the paint, helping Gonzales and Schneider combine for 23 of the team's total points. Gonzales went for 14 and Schneider chipped in with nine.

-It felt amazing to get out on the court and really experience this atmosphere. It's like nothing I've ever been a part of before," said Schneider.

The U.S. once again put on an outstanding display of defensive power " holding the Brits to just 13 field goal attempts in the first half and forcing 24 turnovers, which included 10 steals and numerous shot clock violations.

A total of 10 Team USA players put points on the board. Helping Gonzales and Schneider carry the load were Stephanie Wheeler (Tuscaloosa, Ala./Norlina, N.C.) and Alana Nichols (Tuscaloosa, Ala./Farmington, N. Mex.) with seven points apiece and Christina Ripp (Littleton, Colo./Dane, Wis.) with six points.

-We're getting hungrier for what we came here to do, but we know we have to be aware of every team as there have already been a lot of upsets here this week," said Gonzales. -We just have to stick to our game plan, focus on our defense and stick together and we'll be okay."

The U.S. looks to claim the top seed coming out of pool play with its final preliminary round game against Brazil on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 9:00 a.m. at the National Indoor Stadium (9:00 p.m., Sept. 10 EDT).

Highlights of the 2008 Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball Tournament can be found at ParalympicSport.tv/. Additional resources are available in the U.S. Paralympics Media Room, and Daily video highlights will be available on www.usparalympics.org and www.universalsports.com.