Patrick Anderson scored a game-high 20 points to go along with an eye-popping 20 rebounds, and Nic Goncin went 62% from the field to lead Canada to a 79-67 victory over the Netherlands in their quarterfinal match Tuesday to book their ticket to the semi-finals.
The Canadians broke the game open in the second quarter, outsourcing their Dutch opponents 26-10, including a 10-2 run to kick off the frame. The Netherlands cut the game close late in the 4th quarter, inching within six points with just over two minutes to play, but Goncin and Tyler Miller put the game away with some clutch shots to end the contest.
Anderson acknowledged that the win was a balance of everyone on the team doing their job.
“Everything went right today,” said the six-time Canadian Paralympian after the game. “It started in the first half with guys stepping into open spaces and hitting jumpers like Tyler, Vincent Dallaire and Chad Jassman. Then we just kind of kept our foot on the gas.”
He pointed to Goncin’s efforts late in the game as a big reason for the victory.
“When things got tight down the stretch. Nik was clutch,” said Anderson. “I was spinning my wheels a little bit and watching the clock and Nik closed for us in a special way.”
Despite the praise, Goncin passed the praise, like he did the ball, to his team on how the win was constructed.
“We just stuck to our game plan,” said the 32-year-old. “We have the same game plan every time, we’re just not super disciplined in executing it. Today is probably the best that we’ve executed it.
After years of very limited success against the Netherlands team, both Anderson and Goncin we’re more than relieved to take this one from them.
“It is frustrating when you lose to a certain team many times, but we have a lot of respect for them and get along with them, said Anderson. “They’re good dudes and a great team, but it feels good to get over that hump.”
Goncin echoed the sentiments of his teammate.
“We were due to beat them in a big game for once so I’m glad today was that day.”
Eight of the nine Canadian players to touch the floor in the match scored six or more points, with a collective 64% shooting.
Anderson’s rebound total for the game is a Paris 2024 Paralympic Games high, five boards above the next highest tally of 15 by Germany’s Thomas Boehme in their quarterfinal matchup against Spain earlier in the day.
Canada will take on the winner of the United States (3-0) and France (0-3) in the latter semi-finals match on Thursday. The Americans are the reigning Paralympic Games champions, winning gold in Tokyo 2020 in a tight 64-60 victory over Japan.
Canada will look to continue their dominant performance in Paris and compete for a medal for the first time since London 2012, where they were crowned gold medalists after a 64-58 win over Australia.