Anderson (pictured below, left), who retires after tonight's game, went out in style as he netted 34 points, dragging Canada back from behind to claim their third gold medal in the last four Paralympics.

He finished as the tournament's top scorer with an average of 25 points per game.

It was an exceptionally tight match throughout, with both sides having periods on top.

The opening was fairly cagey, with both sides trading blows evenly until the second period, when Australia took charge and built up a 19-14 advantage.

Canada fought back, winning seven points in a row, but Australia finished the second quarter on top, 27-26.


Led by Anderson, Canada began to turn the screw in the third quarter, defending more intensely and converting their chances ruthlessly.

They went 38-32 and 46-40 ahead, with Australia pulling two points back just before the end of the quarter.

With exceptional play from Shaun Norris (pictured below, centre) netting 19 points, Australia were able to fight back valiantly in the final quarter, levelling the scores at 48-48.

Scoring 16, Captain Brad Ness was not able to stamp his authority on the game as he would have liked and was outshone by Anderson, whose experience and skill was crucial in seeing Canada through the final stages as they came under intense pressure.

Just 54-52 points ahead, Anderson netted eight points in the final three minutes, and was a calming influence on his team-mates, running the clock down as the Australians became increasingly desperate.

A last brave fight was not enough for Australia to claw their way back into the game and Canada saw out the game to take the title from them.


Their captain, Bo Hedges, told insideworldparasport afterwards that the victory "is a little overwhelming.

"It is great to win this, after all the work of the last four years.

"[Australia] are a great team, it is very competitive between the two nations, it makes it a little better."

"[Patrick] was amazing tonight, he has been amazing all tournament, he has been playing really well.

"He will be a pretty big loss for sure but we have a pretty good team around him, and we will move forward and on."

Canada have now won 31 of their last 32 matches at the Paralympic Games going back to 2000.

And between them Canada and Australia have won the last four Paralympic gold medals, with this being the third consecutive time the two have faced each other in the final.


The bronze medal was won here tonight by the United States, who overcame hosts Britain (both teams pictured above).

The US were 29-20 ahead at half time and in control, but Britain staged a superb fight  back in the third period, scoring nine unanswered points to level the scores.

But the US soon took control again, eventually cruising to a comfortable 61–46 victory to seal third place.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2012: US defeats Canada in three-match wheelchair basketball tournament
July 2012: Canada men's wheelchair basketball team holds final training camp ahead of London 2012
June 2012: Britain battered by Canada in wheelchair basketball tournament
May 2012: No easy games for anyone as London 2012 wheelchair basketball fixtures are announced
January 2012: Wheelchair Basketball Canada select London 2012 hopefuls