Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay start strong in the South American U17 Women's Championship

BARRANQUILLA (Colombia) – The hosts, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay excelled in the first day of the FIBA U17 South American Women's Championship that started this Monday at the Elías Chewing Coliseum in Barranquilla.

The Colombians recovered from a horrible start and dominated Uruguay, 63-47, in the Group B encounter.

The Charrúas won the first quarter with an impressive 22-2, but the locals immediately reacted in the second with a 30-2, getting to the half-time with the scoreboard on their favor, 32-24. Colombia's intensity was just too much for Uruguay, who couldn’t get back on track during the rest of the match and ended up yielding the way.

Daniela González, with 23 points and 12 rebounds, led the Colombians. Karol Hernández contributed 10 units, and Naylee Cortés added 7 with 13 rebounds. Camila Kirshenbaum and Florencia Niski were the most outstanding players for Uruguay, with 20 and 11 points, respectively.

Meanwhile, Brazil showed their best colors in a paired duel in which they defeated Ecuador, 58-52, in Group A.

Adrielly Francisco, with 22 points and 16 rebounds led the Amazonians, who also counted on Maisa Pereira's important contribution of 6 points and 20 rebounds, and Maiara Pereira's 10 more.

The Brazilians insisted on the inside attack and filled the team coming from the Equator with fouls. In total, Brazil visited the free-throw line 43 times and, although they lacked effectiveness by only making 21 attempts, they were able to widen the gap in the scoreboard. Ecuador, on the other hand, only stepped the line nine times and scored three.

Karla Benítez scored 11 points and Génesis Zabaleta added eight, with 12 rebounds, for the Ecuadorians.

In Group B, Argentina played a great second half in which they limited Chile to just seven points and imposed their presence, 45-29.

The Argentines went to the half-time with a 22-14 advantage, but their offense couldn’t complete the task. Overall, the game lacked effectiveness by both sides. Argentina threw 22% (15-67) and Chile 17% (10-59), but the Argentines dominated the inside game and that was the main difference.

The team led by Clara Van Benthem controlled the rebounds (66-41), the points from the paint (18-10) and the second-chance points (15-3).

Génesis Toledano was outstanding for the winning team with nine points and 19 rebounds, and Milagros Maza contributed nine points. For Chile, Antonia Andaur was the best with eight points.

In the tournament's opening game and for Group A, Paraguay commandeered the first quarter, 19-2 and from there set forth their path to a victory against Venezuela, with a 60-39 scoreboard.

María Moringio was the figure for the Guaraní side, with 20 points and six three-pointers, while Jael Benítez added 10 points. Ana Britez was also outstanding with six points and 13 rebounds.

Venezuela had good moments in the second and last quarter. In fact, they came close by eight points (45-37) when there were 5:07 minutes left until the end, but physical exhaustion came into play and didn't allow them to get closer.

Paraguay made 19 offensive rebounds and achieved 26 second-chance points, which was a factor to always stay ahead in the game.

Fabiana Hernández concluded with 11 points for the Venezuelans, followed by Julieth Sivira and Edglimar Montero, who added nine and eight points, respectively.

This Tuesday, on the second competition day, Ecuador and Venezuela face each other starting at 11:00 AM (local game time). Then it's Uruguay against Argentina (1:00 PM), Paraguay and Brazil (3:00 PM), and Chile against Colombia in the day's conclusion (5:00 PM).

The FIBA U17 Women’s South American Championship grants three places to the FIBA U18 Women’s Championship Americas 2020.

FIBA