BUCARAMANGA (Colombia) – United States and Canada were victorious for the third consecutive on Wednesday and finished atop their respective groups at the FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup, currently taking place at Coliseo Bicentenario in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Brazil and Argentina also won on Day 3, and both finished in second place within their zones, setting up the following Quarterfinals slate: Canada (1st in Group A) vs. Mexico (4th in Group B) United States (1B) vs. Dominican Republic (4A) Argentina (2A) vs. Puerto Rico (3B) Brazil (2B) vs. Colombia (3A) The 4 winners will advance to the Semifinals and secure their spots in the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup. The losers will play a consolation round to determine the 5th-8th places. Check out the Quarterfinals schedule here. This is what transpired during the last day of the Group Stage: MEX 20 – 115 USA Joyce Edwards scored 17 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and blocked 3 shots to lead another explosive performance for United States (3-0) in their win over Mexico (0-3) in Group B.
Jasmine Davidson shined with 14 points (5/5 from the field), 7 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks to finish with her team’s highest efficiency score (29). Kayleigh Heckel added 15 points with 5 assists and Arianna Roberson had 14 points and 7 boards. The U.S. had 6 different players in double digits (Zakiyah Johnson and Sienna Betts had 10 points apiece) and all 12 scored points.
Ana Zesati had 8 points for Mexico. BRA 59 – 50 PUR Ayla McDowell, Heloisa Duppre and Manuella Alves combined for 45 of their team’s 59 points as Brazil (2-1) picked up a tough win over Puerto Rico (1-2) that allowed them to finish second in Group B.
McDowell scored 18 points with 7 rebounds, Duppre picked up a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double (with 2 blocks) and Alves added another 12 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks. It was a back-and-forth affair in the first half. The Brazilians were up 27-25 at halftime before uncorking an 11-2 run in the first 3 minutes of the third period to put them in control of the action. McDowell scored 9 of those 11 points (including a three-pointer) to open a lead wide enough for Brazil to successfully manage during the final 10 minutes.
In the 4th quarter, Puerto Rico managed to cut a 12-point deficit (55-43) to 6 (56-50) on a Dianne Crespo three-pointer with 1:46 left in regulation, but Alexia Araujo calmed things down for Brazil with a long-distance strike to make it 59-50 with 10 seconds to go. Point guard Adriana Robles led the boricuas with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Crespo and Diann Jackson added 8 points apiece. CAN 117 – 27 DOM Canada sustained their breathtaking pace and easily got past Dominican Republic in Group A. The North Americans shined in every facet of the game, but this time they unleashed a storm from beyond the arc, making 18 of their 33 three-point attempts for a scorching hot 55 percent. Kamora Morgan scored 17 with 3 three-pointers. Divine Tumba and Taliyah Henderson added 16 points and 6 rebounds apiece. Jasmine Bascoe contributed 15 points (including 3 three-pointers) and 7 assists, while Avery Sussex added 14 points on 4 makes from downtown. Patricia Augustin was their other player in double digits (11 points and 6 boards).
Anny De Jesus led Dominican Republic with 6 points and 10 rebounds, while Natalia Valdez added 5 points. COL 55 – 59 ARG Malena Maggi collected 18 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks and Nerea Lagowski added 17 with 13 boards and 2 steals to lead Argentina’s comeback from a 13-point halftime deficit (35-22) and beat host country Colombia in Group A.
The Argentinian squad played a great second half, allowing only 20 points (including just 7 in the final quarter). In a low-percentages game, they executed better down the stretch and came away with a key victory. Milagros Morell’s return was crucial for Argentina to complete the comeback. The power forward scored 6 of her 9 points (a deuce and 4 free throws) in consecutive fashion to put her country ahead 55-50 with 46 seconds left in the game. Marta Moscarella kept Colombia alive with a layup and a three-pointer to get within 2 points (57-55) with 10 seconds to go, but her team conceded an offensive rebound to Isabella Ingénito (off an Alma Bourgarel free throw miss) and Maggi, after being sent to the charity stripe, drained a pair to secure the win.
Besides said clutch offensive board, Ingénito was crucial on defense guarding María Pérez, who had drained 6 three-pointers against Dominican Republic but was held to just 6 points on Wednesday. Moscarella led Colombia with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Meredith Venner added 15 points, 19 boards and 3 blocks. Daily statistical leaders: Minutes: Micaela Cavalcanti (BRA) - 37:47 Points: Marta Moscarella (COL) - 24 Three-pointers: Avery Sussex (CAN) - 4 Two-pointers: Divine Tumba (CAN), Nerea Lagowski (ARG) - 8 Free throws: Marta Moscarella (COL) - 9 Rebounds: Meredith Venner (COL) - 19 Assists: Jasmine Davidson (USA), Jasmine Bascoe (CAN) - 7 Steals: Jasmine Davidson (USA), Avery Sussex (CAN) - 4 Blocks: Multiple players - 3 Efficiency: Meredith Venner (COL) - 33 FIBA