Jazmon Gwathmey, Puerto Rico show resilience in comeback win over Colombia

LEON (Mexico) - Puerto Rico clawed back from a first half deficit in a comeback effort led by veteran Jazmon Gwathmey as they defeated Colombia 63-62 in their first game of the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup on Saturday evening at Domo de la Feria in León, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Colombia jumped out to a hot start in the first quarter with Mabel Martinez and Jenifer Muñoz leading the scoring charge and the team hitting three shots from beyond the arc to lead Puerto Rico 19-10.

Arella Guirantes led Puerto Rico with 6 points on 75 percent shooting in the first quarter but the team shot just 27 percent and could not find their rhythm early, but stayed close as Gwtahmey led on the glass with 4 rebounds.

Into the second quarter Colombia controlled all areas of the game, scoring in transition and off turnovers, dominating on the boards both ways, and getting second chances under the basket to score.

Leading 40-27 at halftime, Martinez and Muñoz each contributed 8 points in the half as did Yuliany Paz. Puerto Rico had momentum in the quarter as there was no answer for Guirantes who added another 7 points to total 13 in the half, but just four Puerto Rico players were on the scoreboard at the half.

Puerto Rico took the momentum that Guirantes started and used it to not only score 22 points in the third quarter but kept Colombia to just 11 points as they took the lead for the first time all game with just under eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter and hung onto it until the end of the game.

Jennifer O’Neill helped bring Puerto Rico back to life in the second half as she scored 7 points in the second half including going 6-of-8 on free throws to bring her game total to 13 and keep her team in front.

Their opponent would not go down easy, as a three-pointer from Muñoz brought Colombia within one point with two seconds to play, but Puerto Rico held on to secure the win.

Gwathmey led all scorers with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting while also grabbing 8 rebounds, while Guirantes added 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in the win.

Muñoz led Colombia with 14 points while Paz added 12 points and 8 rebounds in the losing effort.

FIBA