Canada, Argentina and USA secure Semi-Finals spots after Day 2 of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship

BUENOS AIRES (FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship) – Group A is set, victories for Canada and Argentina qualified both teams to the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship 2017 and to the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018. United States and Colombia picked up wins in Group B.

Showing the same ferocity and suffocating defense, Colombia captured a win over Puerto Rico, to level its record at 1 win – 1 loss. The match started out very evenly, but it was in the second quarter that the Colombians broke out on the scoreboard after dominating the second quarter, 25-9. Puerto Rico couldn’t break the Colombians full-court press and the Colombians produced 25 steals and 24 turnovers. The final score was Colombia 68 – Puerto Rico 52. Daniela Gonzalez was the top performer for the Colombians after playing for a 20 points and 11 rebounds “double-double”.

USA captured it second win of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship with a powerful win over Mexico 100-37, to qualify to the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship and the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018. After finishing the first 10 minutes of play with a one-point lead, the North Americans stepped on the gas pedal and produced a 33-14 quarter to take the commanding lead. While shooting for a 48 percent from the field, the team coached by Carla Ann Berube won the second half of the game 53-10, to secure the win. Sam Brunelle was the top performer for the USA with a 18 points and 11 rebound “double-double”.

Canada secured a spot in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship after defeating the Dominican Republic, 89-48. The first minutes of the match were evenly matched, but the team coached by Dani Sinclair took advantage of the height difference and won the first quarter 21-11. Canada scored 68 of its point from the painted area and shot for a 42 percent from the field. The Canadians dominated the second half, against a Dominican team that never ceased to fight. The top scorer for the Canadians was Brynn Ann Masikewich with a 22 point and 10 rebound “double-double”.

Argentina achieved the qualification to the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship after defeating Venezuela, 71-42. Argentina kicked off the action with high energy and with great efficiency from long range to take a 17-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. Argentina kept adding with great contributions from the paint, where the team scored 34 of their points. Argentina shot for a 50% from the field. The top scorer for the team coached by Laura Cors was Sofia Acevedo with 18 points.

Argentina, Canada and the USA secured tickets to the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Minsk, Belarus after capturing their second win of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship.

In the last day of the Group Phase, Colombia will take on Mexico to determine the fourth team that will participate in the Semi-Finals of the continental championship, Venezuela will face the Dominican Republic, USA will face the Puerto Ricans and Argentina will take on Canada to determine the top spot of Group A.

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