Guadalajara, MX – The Canadian Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team defeated Brazil 67-49 in their first match of the 2011 Parapan American Games, while the Canadian Men routed Columbia 57-38 to open the tournament with a win.

The Canadian women were led by Janet McLachlan (West Vancouver, BC), who notched a double-double and led all players with 27 points and 23 rebounds, and Cindy Ouellet (Quebec, QC), who pitched in with 18 points and 8 assists. Patrick Anderson (Fergus, ON) paved the way for the Canadian men with a game-high 23 points and 7 rebounds in his 34:43 of floor time. David Eng (Montreal, QC) added 8 points and 6 rebounds for Canada.

Both Canadian teams now have a 1-0 record with two preliminary round games remaining.

CANADA (W) 67 – BRAZIL 49 Recap

Brazil surprised their opponents out of the gates and took an early 9-6 lead before the Canadians, despite poor shooting (38% from the field in the first half), were able to rally for six straight points to end the first quarter up 12-9.

The game was very close through the first two quarters with the Canucks leading by just 4 points at halftime 27-23).

Canada opened thing up in the third frame extending their lead to 48-38. Brazil was unable to keep pace with Canada's increased tempo in final two quarters getting outscored 40-26.

"Admittedly we were a little bit nervous at the start, but once we calmed down a little bit and gained our composure we were able to start executing a lot better, said Team Canada Women's Assistant Coach Michael Broughton.

"Brazil is a team with good all around height and good all around speed which creates mismatches for anybody. While we got off to a slow start, we were able to make some adjustments and our players coming off the bench made a real positive impact as well," said Broughton.

Next up the Canadian Women will play Argentina Monday November 14th at 3:45 p.m. (local time) / 4:45 p.m. ET

CANADA (M) 57 – COL0MBIA 38 Recap

Canada struggled to hit their shots early in the game but still managed to better their opponents 16-8 in the first quarter. Colombia fought hard and fast to overcome the deficit and managed to narrow the gap to 24-20 by halftime.

It wasn't until the fourth quarter that Canada was able to leverage its depth off the bench outscoring their opponent 22-9.

"They are a very tall team, a quick team, and they have improved over the last two years since we last saw them," said Team Canada Men's Assistant Coach Paul Bowes.

"We though that our guys fitness level and the fact that we stuck with the game plan brought us out in the fourth quarter. It really showed that's when we really take it to teams."

Next up the Canadian Men will play El Salvador Monday November 14th at 6:00 p.m. (local time) / 7:00 p.m. ET.

The following athletes will represent Team Canada at the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico:

Team Canada Men:
Abdi Dini (Scarborough, ON)
Adam Lancia (Toronto, ON)
Brandon Wagner (Burlington, ON)
Chad Jassman (Calgary, AB)
Dave Durepos (Fredericton, NB)
David Eng (Montreal, QC)
Joey Johnson (Lorette, MB)
Mickael Poulin (Quebec, QC)
Pat Anderson (Fergus, ON)
Robert Hedges (Wonowon, BC)
Tyler Miller (Kitchener, ON)
Yvon Rouillard (Montreal, QC)
Head Coach: Jerry Tonello (Toronto, ON)

Team Canada Women:
Cindy Ouellet (Quebec, QC)
Chantal Benoit (Mont St. Hilaire, QC)
Elaine Allard (St. Eustache, QC)
Elisha Williams (Burnaby, BC)
Katie Harnock (Elmira, ON)
Jamey Jewells (Donkin, NS)
Janet McLachlan (Vancouver, BC)
Jessica Vliegenthart (Victoria, BC)
Kendra Ohama (Calgary, AB)
Maude Jacques (Ste-Catherine, QC)
Tara Feser (St. Albert, AB)
Tracey Ferguson (Richmond Hill, ON)
Head Coach: Bill Johnson (Winnipeg, MB)

For more information, visit: www.wheelchairbasketball.ca

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Qualifier for London 2012

The London 2012 Paralympic Games will be held Aug. 29 to Sept. 9, 2012.

Guadalajara will be a direct qualifier for the London 2012 Paralympic Games in the sports of Wheelchair Basketball and Sitting Volleyball. To earn berths in London, the Men's and Women's Wheelchair Basketball Teams must place in the top three in Guadalajara.

About the Parapan American Games

The IV Parapan American Games take place November 12-20, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. The Games are a continental, multi-sport event that feature more than 1,500 athletes from 26 countries competing in 13 different sports: archery, athletics, boccia, cycling, football (5-a-side), goalball, judo, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair tennis and wheelchair basketball.

The Parapan American Games have been increasing in size and competitiveness since the inaugural event in Mexico City in 1999.

Wheelchair Basketball at the Parapan American Games

Sixteen national wheelchair basketball teams will play in Guadalajara for the right to compete in London 2012. The men's division features contenders Canada and the United States, as well as Brazil and host Mexico. Argentina, Columbia, El Salvador, and Guatemala are the other hopefuls on the men's side. Meanwhile, the women's division features two of the top three teams in the world in Canada and the United States, along with Argentina, Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, host Mexico, and Peru.

Team Canada Men at the Parapan American Games

The Canadian Men's National Team has reached the podium in each of its three appearances at the Parapan American Games since their inception in 1999. The team's medal count stands at two silver (1999, 2007) and one gold (2003) going into the 2011 edition of the Games. Thanks to their podium performances at the Parapan Ams, the Canadian Men went on to win three consecutive medals at the Paralympic Games, including back-to-back gold medals in 2000 and 2004 and a silver medal in 2008.

Team Canada Women at the Parapan American Games

The Canadian Women's National Team will also look to extend its winning tradition at the Parapan American Games, having captured two gold medals (1999, 2003) and one silver (2007) in three appearances. The Canadian Women are strong candidates to qualify for London 2012 and build upon a prolific Paralympic portfolio that includes three consecutive gold medals in 1992, 1996, and 2000, as well as a bronze medal in 2004.

About Wheelchair Basketball Canada

Wheelchair Basketball Canada is the national sports governing body responsible for the organization of wheelchair basketball in Canada. It is a non-profit, charitable organization that is the Canadian member to the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF).

Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport that has emerged as one of the most competitive and athletic sports played at the Paralympic Games. Our senior national teams are held in high esteem around the world for the elite skill and control that placed them on the podium with a combined five gold and one silver medal in the last five Paralympic Games.

For more information or to schedule an interview contact:

Jody Kingsbury, Manager
Communications & Media Relations
Wheelchair Basketball Canada
T: 613-260-1296 ext. 204
011 52 331 602 1576 (in Guadalajara)
jkingsbury@wheelchairbasketball.ca

Courtney Pollock, Assistant
Communications & Media Relations
Wheelchair Basketball Canada
T: 613-260-1296 ext. 200
cpollock@wheelchairbasketball.ca

Alison Korn, Manager
Media Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
T: 613-569-4333 ext. 243
011 52 331 600 9339 (in Guadalajara)
akorn@paralympic.ca