Semifinals lineup set as USA, Canada, Puerto Rico and Argentina punch tickets

YUCATAN (Mexico) - Saturday's games at the 2023 FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship saw USA, Canada, Puerto Rico and Argentina advance to the Semifinals.

By reaching the Semifinals, these four countries also qualified for the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024.

Here's a look at how the four games unfolded:

Puerto Rico 57 - 49 Brazil

In a tightly contested matchup to start the day, Puerto Rico edged out Brazil by eight points thanks to outscoring them 35-21 across the final two quarters.

Brazil led by as many as 9 points in the third quarter, but the comeback kids of Puerto Rico were never out of the game.

Desirek Nieves starred with a game-high and tournament-high 26 points along with 8 rebounds and 4 steals, with 22 points coming in the second half (16 in the final quarter) to help Puerto Rico complete the comeback.

Mia Canales only had 3 points in the game, but her one three-pointer was a clutch one, as it put Puerto Rico up by 6 points with under a minute left.

Puerto Rico also converted 9-of-10 free-throws in the fourth quarter to help extend their lead and put the game away late.

Brazil's Sofia Borges (10 points, 13 rebounds) and Sther Ubaka (12 points, 12 rebounds) recorded their second consecutive double-doubles in defeat, while Micaela Cavalcanti scored a team-high 14 points and made four threes.

Puerto Rico will face Canada in the Semifinals, while Brazil will go against Mexico in the Classification Games.

Argentina 55 - 54 Colombia

The second game of the day was even closer than the first, with Argentina emerging victorious over Colombia to advance to the Semifinals as well as the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024.

The biggest lead for either team in the entire game was only 8 points.

Argentina led by 7 points in the fourth quarter, but Colombia battled back with a 12-5 run to tie the game at 54 points apiece. Neither team scored for nearly a couple minutes until Milagros Morell knocked down the game-winning free-throw that broke the tie.

Argentina center Morell posted a huge 19-point, 17-rebound double-double along with 2 assists and 2 blocks. She also shot 7-of-13 from the field.

The bench played a huge role for Argentina in their victory, as they had a 26-10 advantage. Isabella Ingenito scored 18 of their 26 bench points and Rocio Leta added 6 points and a game-high 6 assists off the bench.

Colombia's leading scorer and rebounder Marta Moscarella fouled out in 19 minutes, so Stephanie Vega stepped up for 19 points and 4 rebounds, making 7-of-16 shots from the field in defeat.

Argentina will square off against USA in the Semifinals and Colombia will take on Dominican Republic in the Classification Games.

USA 106 - 34 Dominican Republic

USA kept the good times rolling in the tournament, knocking off Dominican Republic by 72 points to set up a meeting with Argentina in the Semifinals.

All 12 of USA's players got into the scoring column (five in double figures) and all 12 players also grabbed a rebound. They dominated in all stat categories and assisted on 24 of 34 made baskets, shooting about 42 percent overall.

Jerzy Robinson recorded her second double-double of the tournament with 15 points and 11 rebounds along with 6 steals and 3 assists. Aaliyah Crump (16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 7-of-10 FG) and Trinity Jones (13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 4-of-4 FG) were feature players off the bench for USA.

Karina Capellan led Dominican Republic with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals, and as a team, they took advantage of their free-throws by making 14-of-18.

Dominican Republic, meanwhile, are still winless at the event and will play against Colombia in the Classification Games.

Canada 71 - 44 Mexico

Canada became the final team to clinch their spot in the Semifinals after defeating hosts Mexico comfortably and will now turn their attention to a matchup with Puerto Rico.

They got off to a fast start with a 20-8 first quarter to put the game out of reach.

Canada swiped away 28 steals, their second most in the tournament after previously having 35. Deniya Prawl led the charge with 9 steals, the most by a player in a game in the tournament.

Canada's frontcourt duo of Cearah Parchment and Savannah Swords were cleaning the glass throughout the game. Parchment finished with her first double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 steals) and Swords just missed a double-double with 8 points and 9 rebounds along with 4 steals.

Mariant Castillo dropped 19 points for Mexico, her best scoring performance of the tournament. Her frontcourt partner Miranda Henry also had her best scoring output with 10 points.

Mexico remain winless at the event and will play against Brazil in the Classification Games.

FIBA