WAIS athletes Score a Win in Wheelchair Basketball

WAIS athlete Brad Ness scored a dramatic last gasp winner for Australia in its 73-72 win over Brazil in its opening match of the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.

Ness scored a field goal with just four seconds remaining on the clock to give Australia the lead for the first time in an epic encounter.

Australia headed into the match as firm favourites, but found that Brazil were in formidable form, breaking fast and serving up a physical presence in defence.

Australia trailed 45-28 at half time but managed to slowly peg back the South Americans in the second half before capturing the points at the death to boost the teams medal hopes.

“We got back to within five points a couple of times and then let them slip away,” Ness said.

“I just did what I had to do to get us back in it.”

Fellow WAIS athlete Justin Eveson was relieved to come away with a win, knowing the side hadn’t played to its full potential.

“We didn’t play 100 per cent today and it showed. But the win is all that mattered,” he said.

“Now we need to recover and take care of Great Britain when we play them tomorrow.”

Eveson acknowledged that the Brazilians had surprised Australia with their tough game and quick tempo.

“They came out playing hard and being physical, and we didn’t respond and paid for it,” Eveson said.

“In the second half the word was to get tough and get down to the plays at hand, and we just responded to how they were playing.”

WAIS has four members of the Australian men’s wheelchair basketball team with Shaun Norris and Michael Hartnett also in Beijing with Ness and Eveson.

Australia’s next match is against Great Britain today at the National Indoor Stadium.