Women's wheelchair basketball team remains optimistic despite gold-medal game loss to U.S.

The United States women's wheelchair basketball team defeated Canada 62-56 to win Parapan Am Games gold and in the process earned a berth to the Paralympics next summer in Paris.

For the Americans, it's sweet redemption having lost the title game to the Canadians four years ago.

For Canada, while the loss was disappointing, the team is already looking forward to a last-chance qualifier.

WATCH | U.S. wins gold over Canada:

"I'm just really fortunate to be here and have the teammates I do. Losing is a bitter pill to swallow but I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else. They're like sisters to me," Arinn Young said.

"We still have a repechage tournament to qualify for Paris. We have to look forward and we're going to win it. We have so much to prove and nothing to lose. I'm ready to win this."

For the first few minutes of the game both teams tried to find their rhythm on offence but couldn't get much going. They traded a couple scores, and then followed it up with a few misses.

It appeared there were some nerves on both sides with so much at stake.

With 1:34 left in the first quarter, Canadian superstar Kady Dandeneau, who led the team to victory at the last Games, entered the game for the first time with the score 14-8 USA.

Dandeneau, who was a difference maker four years ago in the championship game, missed her first couple of shots and was blanketed every possession by the American defenders.

Both teams brought undefeated records into the title game — they've met in important moments so many times in the past and once again for themselves locked in a battle to claim Parapan Am Games gold in Santiago.

Canada immediately cut down the USA lead from six to two points and kept the pressure on.

The Canadians had a chance to take the lead after tying the game at 22, but Young just missed. USA immediately responded with a couple of quick baskets to take a four point lead.

The United States would add one more basket at the buzzer to take a six-point lead into halftime, 28-22.