BUENOS AIRES (FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship) – The final game of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship 2017 will be between Canada and USA for the continental gold. Argentina and Colombia will play for Bronze.

Venezuela earned the right to play for the fifth position of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship after defeating Puerto Rico, 62-61. Venezuela captured a 15-point lead during the first half of the game, but Puerto Rico tied the game in the fourth quarter after a 12-0 run. The teams traded the lead on the scoreboard, and it was Maury Morales who secured the win for the Venezuelans from the free-throw line. Jairennys Arias was the top scorer for the Venezuelans with 19 points.

Mexico achieved a dominant win over the Dominican Republic, and will play Venezuela for 5th place of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship. The Mexicans dominated the first 10 minutes of play 31-11 and kept adding to the established lead for the remainder of the game. Mexico shot for a 58% from three-point land and scored 62 points from the area under the basket. Katia Gallegos was the top performer for the Mexicans with a 21-point and 11-rebound “double-double”.

Canada qualified to the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship title game after defeating Colombia 64-38, in the Semi-Finals. The Canadians jumped right into the game with high energy, to take a 18-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. The feisty Colombians started to discount from the difference with good defense and fast-break points. The Canadians retook the comfortable lead after a 19-10 third quarter. Taking advantage of the height difference, while scoring 40 of their points from the painted area, the Canadians secured the qualification to the Final after a 14-7 fourth quarter. The top scorer for Canada was Merissah Russell with 11 points.

USA earned the return to the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship title game, after missing the final in the 2015 edition of the continental competition, by defeating Argentina 98-42 in the Semi-Finals. It was an evenly fought first quarter, but it was in the second quarter that the North Americans started to open the lead with a 23-14 quarter. USA’s long rotation helped produce 49 of the team’s points, and Argentina couldn’t match that output from the opponent. United States secured the ticket to the Finals after a 58-15 second half. Five of the USA player scored in the double digits, Taylor and Cooke adding 12 points each.

Tomorrow on the last day of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship:
7th place game – Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic
5th place game – Venezuela vs. Mexico
Bronze Medal Match – Argentina vs. Colombia
Gold Medal Match – Canada vs. USA

Canada is the defending champion of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship, after conquering the title in the 2015 edition in Puebla, Mexico. USA is out to prove itself after missing the Final of the 2015 edition, and having to settle for the Bronze Medal.

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