Brazil hangs on to take nailbiter win over Argentina on Day 3

LEON (Mexico) – Coming down to the final buzzer, Brazil got the edge over Argentina by a single point, 56-55, taking a third victory on Day 3 of action on Monday afternoon at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup at Domo de la Feria in León, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Andrea Boquete once again got the action started for Argentina, scoring 7 points in the first quarter while Melisa Gretter commanded the glass on defense to help keep a 14-9 lead as no single player scored more than 3 points for Brazil.

Damiris Dantas and Aline Moura however changed that in the second quarter as they both contributed 7 points. Erika De Souza had the boards on lock as she helped Kamilla Cardoso and Brazil to then hold Argentina to just 12 points and took a 3-point lead at the half.

Brazil capitalized on turnovers and getting their shots back up after initial misses in the first half, and forced Argentina to commit fouls early in order to get ahead.

Building off the momentum created in the second quarter, Brazil came out of the half energized and continued to flow on offense moving the ball well as Tainá Paxao added 8 points for Brazil to add to Dantas’ efficiency on offense.

An 8-point quarter from Florencia Chagas kept Argentina within reach, but shooting just 26 percent from the floor they trailed by 9 points heading into the final frame of action due to foul troubles and turnovers that gave Brazil a step ahead.

But Argentina is a team that is down and never out, and managed to hold Brazil to just 6 points in the final frame while Agostina Burani led the charge of Argentina’s 14 points playing aggressive and forcing Brazil to miss shots and foul when they ball went the other way, or allow long range shots that Argentina was making.

But one last foul that took Emanuely De Oliveira to the line saw her knock down both of her free throws to give Brazil a one-point lead that they would ride to the finish line of a back-and-forth game.

Dantas led Brazil with 13 points and 5 rebounds while Paixao added 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and De Souza led Brazil on the boards with 10 rebounds.

Boquete scored 14 points shooting 50 percent for Argentina, Chagas added another 12 points and Gretter added 7 rebounds off the defensive glass.

FIBA