MEDELLIN (Colombia) - Bay Area Phoenix (USA) capped off an undefeated run in group play with a narrow 53-52 victory over fellow quarterfinalists Indeportes Antioquia (COL) on Sunday night at the Coliseo Ivan de Bedout in Medellín, Colombia.
After securing their spot in the next round, the Phoenix opened the game strong with an 8-0 run, led by the dynamic trio of Rebecca Harris, Kamilah Jackson, and Danielle Robinson. Harris, coming off a stellar performance the night before, continued to shine. However, Indeportes Antioquia quickly responded. Trailing 10-2, they surged on a 7-0 run, thanks to Yuliany Paz’s dominance on the boards and the scoring efforts of Valentina Lopez and Jenifer Muñoz, who also contributed with tough defense and critical rebounds. With less than a minute remaining in the first quarter, Marlyn Vente and Mayra Caicedo hit back-to-back shots to tie the game. Robinson’s free throw gave the Phoenix a narrow one-point lead at the buzzer. In the second quarter, it was Indeportes Antioquia’s turn to go on a 9-0 run, with Caicedo finding her range from deep and both Valentina and Carolina Lopez adding points. The Phoenix struggled offensively, unable to score for nearly four minutes, until Ameela Li’s defense led to a steal and a much-needed basket. Despite five straight points from Muñoz, which extended Indeportes’ lead to double digits, Aliyah Collier and Li rallied for the Phoenix with a 10-2 run to close the half, cutting the deficit to just three. The third quarter saw Bay Area Phoenix continue to struggle from behind the arc, going 0-for-11. Indeportes Antioquia capitalized on their misses, extending their lead as Muñoz hit key shots. Still, Harris kept the Phoenix within striking distance, and a defensive battle ensued as both teams tightened up inside the paint. As the quarter wound down, fast-break points by Mo Bennett and key defensive stops turned it into a one-point game. Indeportes, however, managed to pull away briefly, thanks to free throws and a timely Caicedo three-pointer, pushing their lead to six with just 14 seconds left. Foul trouble plagued the Phoenix as Vente extended Indeportes’ lead to eight at the line. In a hard-fought and physical final quarter, neither team could find easy baskets. Collier broke the drought with the first non-free-throw points of the quarter after nearly four minutes. Her steady free-throw shooting brought the Phoenix back within one. A late jump shot from Muñoz gave Indeportes a three-point cushion with two and a half minutes remaining, but Li hit the Phoenix’s first three-pointer of the game at a crucial moment, tying it at 50 with just over a minute to play.
After a Carolina Lopez turnover led to a basket, Harris responded with a clutch three-pointer, giving Bay Area a 53-52 lead with 24 seconds remaining, forcing Indeportes to call a timeout. On the final possession, Muñoz’s last-second shot came up just short, sealing Bay Area Phoenix’s undefeated group-stage finish. Harris led the Phoenix once again, recording a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Collier contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, and four steals, while Li added 11 points, five rebounds, and four steals.
For Indeportes Antioquia, Caicedo led the way with 13 points and six rebounds, while Muñoz was a standout on both ends, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Both teams advance to the Final Four of the Women’s Basketball League Americas, joining Group A’s top two teams: Unión Florida (ARG), who finished first, and Sportiva Italiana (CHI), who took second. Bay Area Phoenix will finish atop Group B, with Indeportes securing second place. FIBA