Paris, France (Sept. 8, 2024) — The United States knew what it needed to do ahead of its gold medal matchup with the defending gold medalist Netherlands.
“We need to stop Mariska and Bo; they are their main shooters and main threats, and let the other people prove they can carry the team instead of those two,” said team captain Becca Murray after the USA’s semifinal win over China.
The star duo of Bo Kramer and Mariska Beijer, unfortunately for the United States, could not be stopped, combing for 45 of Holland’s 63 points in a 14-point win.
After a 20-point performance against China in the semifinals, Rose Hollermann came out of the gate with her hot hand still intact. The fourth time Paralympian started the game with eight straight points for the United States, all on long jumpers.
The U.S. capitalized on her hot shooting by working the ball from side to side on the perimeter and using cross-court passes to get the ball to Hollerman with space to shoot. While she couldn’t miss, the opposite was true for the Dutch.
The Netherlands, who were coming off a semifinal performance where it hit 50% of its shots, didn’t hit its first field goal until more than six minutes into the game. The U.S. couldn’t capitalize completely, and after starting up 8-1, exited the first ten minutes up by just four points.
By the second quarter, the Dutch shook off the cobwebs and started using its biggest physical advantage, size. Mariska Beijer, who is nearly a head taller than any U.S. player, had 9 points, including back-to-back buckets, on an and-one that cut the USA’s lead to just one point.
“I think we came out right away with a lot of fire, but we couldn’t maintain it. They’re a great team, so they’re also going to take punches at us. When that happened, we didn’t adjust very well and keep our energy high,” remarked Hollermann.
The USA’s counter once again involved working around the perimeter and finding the scolding hand; this time it was Lindsay Zurbrugg. The second time Paralympian hit her first three jumpers and four in the quarter to help keep the USA afloat.
After a tough bucket inside by Rose Hollerman off some quick passing cut the USA deficit to just one point, the Dutch called a timeout. It was here where Holland started to distance itself.
Off the break, the Netherlands went on a 6-0 run in the half’s last three minutes, all on buckets in the paint. Holland also exerted its physical dominance on defense, causing a…
