The Gliders, who were competing at their first Paralympics since 2012, won the playoff for ninth spot 71-32.

A breakthrough win for Australia's women's wheelchair basketball team was never in doubt after they led 27-8 at quarter time.

The Gliders increased their advantage at every break to lead 42-17 at half-time and 59-24 at three quarter time before winning by 39-points.

Mellberg, who made her Paralympic Games debut in Tokyo, saved her best for the Gliders' last game of the tournament against the Algerians.

The 31-year-old finished with four-points, three-rebounds and one steal in 16.30 minutes of game time.

Amber Merritt, one of only two squad members with previous Paralympics basketball experience, again led the way for the Gliders with a game-high 27-points and eight-rebounds.

The 28-year-old, who notched up her 200th appearance for the Gliders in Saturday's game against Great Britain, top-scored in all but one of the team's five games in Tokyo and averaged 21.4-points and 10.6-rebounds for the tournament.

Georgia Munro-Cook capped an impressive Paralympics debut with 14-points and five-rebounds.

It was an encouraging end for the Gliders, who headed to Tokyo with a lack of international game experience since 2019, and lost all four qualifying round games.

They opened their campaign last Wednesday with a 73-47 loss to Japan before defeats against Germany (77-58), Great Britain (75-38) and Canada (76-37).

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Dreams do come true, just ask Paralympian Bree Mellberg

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