VEN/DOM - Venezuela comes back to grab seventh place:

CUIABÁ (FIBA Americas Championship for Women) – Venezuela came back and defeated the Dominican Republic 87-82 in overtime to finish seventh in the FIBA Americas Championship for Women.

Ofelia Villaroel netted 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Venezuelans who only won one game in the tournament. Roselis Silva was also key with 16 and Cleider Blanco 11.

The Dominicans dominated most of the game with an aggresive attack on both sides of the court. The first quarter ended 20-15 and at halftime the lead was 37-26 as Sugeiry Monsac had 10 points.

In the third quarter Monsac led with ten points to have a total of 20 as the Dominicans ended up 59-56. Ofelia Villaroel was key in the third quarter by scoring 11 points and keeping their hopes alive.

Monsac made a key basket with 45.4 seconds to give the Dominicans a 74-71 lead but with 14.2 seconds Maria Requena made a three pointer to tie it at 74 and send it to overtime.

After being down 80-79, the Venezuelans made a 6-0 run which ended with a three pointer by Roselis Silva and Villaroel sealed it from the free throw line with 15 seconds left.

In a losing effort Sugeiry Monsac ended with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 10 turnovers.

Luis Modestti
FIBA Americas