Brazil defeats defending champion USA on Day 4 of action

LEON (México) – After going undefeated in the last two editions of the Women’s AmeriCup, USA suffered a loss as Brazil took a 67-54 win on Day 4 of action at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup at Domo de la Feria in León, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Raven Johnson was hot early for USA as was Lauren Betts, controlling both sides of the ball as she has all competition. But with Kamilla Cardoso tipping in 6 points early for Brazil, and the team going on a 6-0 run to end quarter thanks to Sassá Gonçalves scoring 5 points in 3 minutes, USA trailed 15-12 after one quarter.

The gap widened to 10 points by the second quarter as Angel Reese was held to just 1 point and Charisma Osborne was held to 3 as USA shot just 28 percent from the floor as a team. Brazil however found their pace as Tainá Paixao was a perfect 6-of-6 from the foul line as USA was forced to get physical against Brazil trying to get back after turning the ball over.

Brazil’s bench was high energy and contributing points on the floor while also being dominant in the paint even despite USA’s size able to throw blocks up defensively and get players like Osborne and Laila Phelia on the boards.

In the third quarter the gap stayed at 10 despite Betts and Rickea Jackson finally finding some offensive flow for USA as Betts still dominated defensively on the boards. But Paixao and Cardoso continued to be scoring threats with the added help of Erika De Souza and USA could not keep up with their bench contributing just 10 points to Brazil’s 23 through three quarters.

Damiris Dantas and Paixao each poured in 8 points in the final frame, scoring 16 of Brazil’s 18 points, and as Brazil kept scoring off of USA’s 21 turnovers in the game while also playing quick defense and moving the ball well offensively, they kept their gap and defeated the team who beat them in the 2021 Women’s AmeriCup Semi-Final.

Paixao led all scorers with 23 points, Cardoso added 10 points and 6 rebounds and Dantas added 9 points for Brazil in the win.

Betts led USA with a double-double of 11 points and 15 rebounds while Jackson added 10 points in the loss.

FIBA