Brazil wins Gold at Lima 2019 Pan American Games

LIMA (PERU) - Brazil won the gold medal at the Pan American Games 2019 Women’s Basketball Tournament, after defeating USA 79-73.

The Brazilian team climbed to the top of the Pan American Games podium for the fourth time in its history and did so after 28 years, when the country won Gold at Havana, Cuba, in 1991.

The Brazilians showed intense defense and held the opponent to 34 effectiveness from the field while shooting for a 54 percent. In addition, they scored 17 points from the USA’s turnovers.

A three-pointer from Patricia Texeira with 1:28 minutes left, was crucial for Brazil, as they took a 72-62 lead. And in the final minute, Taina Da Paixao secured the victory for her team after scoring five of six free throws. The point guard led her team with 24 points.

Clarissa Dos Santos and Raphaella Monteiro added 12 points each. Beatrice Mompremier and Chennedy Carter scored 16 points each for the United States.

In the game for the Bronze medal, Puerto Rico relied on an effective first half and defeated Colombia 66-55.

Jazmone Gwathmey, with 13 points and 14 rebounds, led the distributed Puerto Rican offensive that had four players with 10 or more points. Isalys Quiñones followed with 12 units.

Puerto Rico went to halftime with a 36-15 advantage, thanks to a 23-6 second quarter. In the first 20 minutes of the game, the Puerto Ricans shot for 53 percent from the field, while holding the opponent to just 16 percent, including 9-0 in triples. That ineffectiveness at the start of the game cost the Colombians the game, who then could not reduce the difference to less than 10 points and could never truly compromise the Puerto Ricans.

The center Narlyn Mosquera, with 13 points, and forward Mabel Martínez, with 12 points, were the best scorers for Colombia.

Final Positions:
1. Brazil
2. USA
3. Puerto Rico
4. Colombia
5. Argentina
6. Canada
7. Paraguay
8. Virgin Islands

FIBA