USA bounces back from loss with statement win over Cuba

LEON (Mexico) – After suffering their first loss in the competition, USA bounced back with a statement win over Cuba, defeating them 106-44 on Day 5 of action at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup at Domo de la Feria in León, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Rickea Jackson led USA early as she tipped in 6 points while Jewel Spear added 5 points, and Yamara Amargo stepped up for Cuba leading with 5 points as Isabela Jourdain added 4.

USA led 27-14 after dominating both the offensive and defensive boards in the first quarter, allowing Cuba to grab just one offensive rebound, and controlling the paint with their size and athleticism.

By the second quarter Jackson and Lauren Betts had both already tallied double-digit scoring, with Deja Kelly and Abigail Hsu both adding 8 points for USA. Angel Reese was in control on the glass as she tallied 9 rebounds by the half with Betts adding 9 as well as they held Cuba to 4 points in the quarter.

Isabela Jourdain found her scoring flow once again in the third quarter for Cuba as Enriqueta Neyra grabbed 5 rebounds by the end of the frame, but with four USA scorers tipping in 10 or more points by the end of the quarter Cuba could not close the gap on USA’s red-hot offense.

Jackson was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line through three quarters with USA shooting 48 percent from the floor as a team and dominating all areas of the game from points in transition to players like Angel Reese using their size in the paint both offensively and defensively.

Cuba had their best quarter yet in the final frame scoring 16 points as Suanly Tanis scored 7 points in the quarter, but as USA put up 23 of their own, it was not enough to close the wide gap bult by USA’s deep roster and bench rotation.

Betts and Reese both tallied double-doubles for USA with Betts scoring 17 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while Reese added 12 points and 14 rebounds. Jackson added 16 points while Hsu added 11.

Tanis was the only Cuba player to score in double digits adding 10 points, while Nahomis Vargas led the charge on the boards with 7 rebounds.

FIBA