Thanks to a tightly packed defence and 16 points from guard Christina Ripp, the United States defeated Germany 50-38 in the Paralympic women's wheelchair basketball final at the National Indoor Stadium on Monday.

Players of the United States celebrate. [Xinhua]

Tough defence from the United States pushed Germany into a couple of turnovers and key free throws in the final minutes earned the U.S. the title.

The United States kept a close guard on Germany with their man-on-man defence style that minimized Germany's scoring opportunities.

Center Marina Mohnen, who scored 13 points, was the only German to have scored over six points.

Forward Carlee Hoffman and guard Stephanie Wheeler helped seal the victory for the U.S. team by each hitting two free throws in the last two minutes.

Germany committed several fouls in the fourth quarter and allowed a total of 19 turnovers, from which the Americans snatched 11 points.

The German women's silver medal was their first medal since the 1988 Seoul Paralympics, where the Federal Republic of Germany finished runner-up.

In the bronze match, Australia outlasted Japan 53-47.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2008)