Brits dump Rollers out of Rio medals

Australia are out of medal contention in the men's wheelchair basketball at the Rio Paralympics following a shock quarter-final loss to Great Britain.

The Rollers have been rolled in a shock quarter-final exit from the Rio Paralympics.

The Australian men's wheelchair basketball team were hammered by Great Britain 74 - 51 on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) in one of the team's worst performances in a decade.

The two-time defending world champions led by two points at halftime but fell away markedly as the Brits produced a stunning 22-6 final quarter.

It ended the Rollers' quest for Games revenge after they lost the gold medal match in London four years ago.

Coach Ben Ettridge says rather than being gutted at missing the top of the podium, the team felt they didn't pay the green and gold uniform due respect.

"We've never used the word redemption," he said.

"If you ask them what they're most disappointed about, they didn't go out and play true Rollers basketball like the 74 other men that have put on a Rollers jersey before us.

"That's the part that's going to be stinging for us."

The Australians failed to score on their first three possessions in the third term and their opponents seized the initiative and never relinquished the advantage.

The Rollers shot the ball at just 38 per cent from the field compared with Great Britain's 49 per cent.

Britain's Ian Sagar led all scorers with 26 points while also pulling down 10 rebounds, while Australia's Shaun Norris had 14 points.

Shifting focus towards Tokyo 2020, Ettridge said that while the team had an average age over 30, there was a succession plan in place.

"We've got seven guys now that have all got one or two Paralympics. Shaun Norris, Tristan Knowles, god forbid if Brad Ness goes around again, we're in really good stead," he said.

Australia will play off for fifth on Saturday.


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Source: AAP



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