Rollers take the Win over the Netherlands

The Australian Rollers have made the perfect start to their Paralympic campaign, defeating the Netherlands 70-50 in the Rio Olympic Arena.

The Rollers team includes a number of experienced and Paralympic debutant players including Western Australian athletes, Shaun Norris, Adam Deans and Brad Ness.

Led by Ness, the side were strong the whole game, maintaining a good lead over their opposition throughout.

The Netherlands began the game well, quickly breaking through the Australian defence to get a good glimpse of the basket. 

Whilst off to a good start it didn’t take long for the Australian’s to show their class, quickly taking the front position thanks to the brilliant efforts of Tristan Knowles, who finished the first-term with a double figure score.

Competing in his fourth Paralympic Games, Norris was able to show his experience finishing the game with 16 points and five rebounds.

He proved to be real asset to his team in attack with his play making skills resulting in the addition of five goal assists to his overall stats, whilst also boosting the teams overall score.

Competing for the first time at the Paralympics, Deans entered the court early in the second period to earn himself two points and two rebounds for the game.

At his fifth Paralympics competition, ness led by example coming away with seven points and five rebounds.

The Rollers cam away with shooting stats of 54% and were able to finish the game off just as strong as they started, having given all team members the chance to show their abilities on the world stage.

The Australian Rollers will next compete tonight at 11:15pm (WST), where they will verse Turkey.