Argentina narrowly escapes Venezuela for first win

LEON (Mexico) – Coming into the game 0-3, Argentina grabbed their first win of the competition in a 58-56 win over Venezuela on the final day of group play at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup at Domo de la Feria in León, Guanajuato, Mexico.

6 points each from Andrea Boquete and Florencia Chagas got Argentina off to a strong start as they led Venezuela 23-18 after the first quarter, though one of Venezuela’s top scorers in Daniela Wallen was already hot scoring 6 points for her team.

The duos of Wallen and Waleska Perez and Boquete and Chagas would prove to be the narrative the second quarter as well, trading baskets back and forth with players like Venezuela’s Mariana Duran and Argentina’s Agostina Burani the supporting cast in scoring.

By the end of the third quarter, the teams were separated by a single point with Venezuela in the lead 45-44, as Venezuela capitalized on Argentina’s turnovers and dominated in the paint though Argentina got the edge on the offensive glass to get second chances to close the gap but scored just 9 points in the quarter.

With 10 minutes left to get their first win of the competition, Chagas and Boquete continued to push as Macarena D’urso contributed 8 points while Melisa Gretter was a force on the boards as she had been throughout the AmeriCup.

On Venezuela’s side, Wallen, Perez and Duran were still in control offensively as Barbara Pico also contributed in her time on the floor, but as Boquete hit a three-pointer to take the lead Argentina held on until the end as Camila Suarez subbed in and added the insurance to hold on even as Perez made one last basket.

Chagas led all scorers with 16 points and 7 rebounds, Boquete added 15 points and 3 rebounds as Argentina sealed the win through their dominance of the duo and team effort on the boards.

Wallen and Perez both tipped in 14 points for Venezuela as Wallen also added 7 rebounds and 3 assists and Duran added 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the narrow loss.

FIBA