BUCARAMANGA (Colombia) – Puerto Rico, United States, Canada and Colombia had successful starts to their FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup that tipped off on Monday at Coliseo Bicentenario Alejandro Galvis Ramírez in Bucaramanga, Colombia. This was the best from the inaugural day of a competition where 4 tickets to the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup are at stake: MEX 64 – 69 PUR Desirek Nieves, Jasmine Nivar and Olivia White combined for 49 of Puerto Rico’s 69 points in their Group B win over Mexico where they had to fight hard to thwart their opponents’ late comeback attempt.
Nieves scored 15 of her 20 points in the first half, Nivar added 18 with 9 rebounds and 5 steals and White contributed 11 points – 5 of them in the final minute and a half of action on a three-pointer and a pair of free throws that gave Puerto Rico a 66-59 lead with 55 seconds to go. However, Mexico didn’t let go of the rope and a Grecia Martínez layup plus a Valeria Mora three-pointer got them within 67-64 with just 9 seconds on the clock. That’s when Nieves secured the islanders’ victory with a pair of makes at the charity stripe to make it 69-64 with 2 seconds left in regulation. Puerto Rico administered the wide lead they built going into halftime, finding themselves up 39-21. Mexico recovered with a 21-9 third quarter to make it 48-42, getting back on track behind a great a defensive effort.
Mariana Medivil was their leading scorer with 16 points (4 three-pointers). Martínez (9 rebounds) and Ana Zesati added 11 points each. USA 97 – 51 BRA Center Sienna Betts produced a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double with 4 blocks, while Kennedy Smith and Kayleigh Heckel added 13 points apiece to lead United States’ comfortable victory over Brazil in Group B.
The Americans, vying for their 12th title and 11th consecutive crown, started the game on a 20-2 run and took control as the Brazilian defensive couldn’t stop their complete attack. USA dominated the paint (52-24), won fast break points 30-14 and hit 12 three-pointers to round out an offensive masterpiece. Jasmine Davidson and Sarah Strong also scored in double digits (11 points each).
Brazil, who made just 23 percent of their field goals (18/78), had Manuella Alves as their leading scorer with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. Alexia Araujo also scored 11, while Ayla McDowell added 10 and 7 boards. ARG 55 – 84 CAN Jasmine Bascoe and Nyadieng Yiech had solid contributions on both ends of the floor and guided Canada to a blowout win over Argentina in the first game of Group A. Bascoe scored 19 points with 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals, while Yiech added 18 points, 7 boards and 3 blocks.
The Canadians won the rebounding battle 59-21 (grabbing 24 on the offensive glass) and did major damage on the opposite rim with 21 second-chance points (to just 5 for their opponents). They also played solid defense and their 13 steals allowed them to get out in transition, winning fast break points by 30-12 and points off turnovers by 25-9. Head coach Marlo Davis’ squad got up to a 47-22 lead at halftime and maintained it the rest of the way. Olivia Leung was also effective for the North Americans with 12 points on 4 three-pointers. Divine Tumba added 9 points and 10 rebounds. Alma Bourgarel (16 points) was Argentina’s only player scoring in double digits. Ema Baldo followed with 8. COL 84 – 64 DOM Marta Moscarella had a monster line of 25 points, 8 rebounds, 8 steals and 4 blocks. María Pérez wasn’t far behind with 21 points (6/8 from beyond the arc), 7 assists and 7 steals, and Meredith Venner produced a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double (with 2 blocks) to lead a Colombian team that put on a show for the home crowd while defeating Dominican Republic in Group A.
From the beginning of the game, Colombia executed their defensive pressing scheme to perfection and notched 20 steals, forcing their opponents into 33 turnovers. That paid dividends to the tune of a 30-15 edge in points off turnovers. Between Moscarella and Pérez they claimed 15 of Colombia’s 20 steals while also carrying the offensive burden.
Arianna Mercado led the Dominicans with 24 points, but Karina Capellán (10 points) was their only other player in double digits. Anny De Jesús grabbed 11 rebounds and Loanna Tolentino pulled down another 10. Take a look here at Tuesday’s schedule.
Daily statistical leaders Minutes: Meredith Venner (COL) - 36:20 Points: Marta Moscarella (COL) - 25 Three-pointers: María Pérez (COL) - 6 Two-pointers: Marta Moscarella (COL) - 10 Free throws: Multiple players - 5 Rebounds: Sienna Betts (USA) - 13 Assists: María Pérez (COL) - 7 Steals: Marta Moscarella (COL) - 8 Blocks: Sienna Betts (USA), Marta Moscarella (COL) - 4 Efficiency: Marta Moscarella (COL) - 30 FIBA