MEXICO CITY (FIBA U18 Americas Women’s Championship 2018) – Day 2 of the FIBA U18 Americas Women’s Championship 2018 handed new victories to the National Teams from USA and Canada. Argentina celebrated its first win of the continental championship, and Colombia stunned the host.

USA added its second win in Group A play following a 115-39 win over Chile. The team coached by Jeff Walz had a hard time settling into the game, but once they did they never looked back. With complete dominance in the painted area and long rotations, the North Americans jumped to a 66-21 at the end of the first half. Chile had some good passages in the game, but USA overpowered the team in route to their second win of the championship. Christyn Williams led the scoring for the USA with 19 points.

 Canada extended its FIBA U18 Americas Women’s Championship 2018 record to 2-0 following an 81-52 win over El Salvador in Group B action. The Canadians dominated from the get-go, establishing a 23-9 lead on the scoreboard after the first quarter. The Canadians dominated the battle for the rebounds 61-32 and scored 18 points in second chance points. Niyah Becker was the top performer for the Canadians with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Kimberly Villalobos scored 15 for El Salvador.

Argentina leveled its record at 1 win and 1 loss after an 79-60 win over Puerto Rico in Group A action. The game started with the teams trading the lead on the scoreboard. Argentina went to the top of the scoreboard with a slight lead after a 16-12 second quarter, for a 30-22 lead at the end of the first half. Led offensively by Chagas and Raviolo, the South Americans produced a 29-15 third quarter to escape to a comfortable lead. Puerto Rico cut the lead down to 10 points during the last quarter, but the Argentines reacted on time and celebrated the win.

Colombia stunned the host of the FIBA U18 Americas Women’s Championship with an 88-78 win in Group B action. Mexico started the game better and escaped to an 11-point lead at the end of the first quarter. Colombia reacted with great passages and dominated the second quarter 28-19, to cut the difference on the scoreboard to 2 points, 43-41. Colombia looked better on the third quarter and took over the scoreboard with a 7-point lead. Colombia kept adding with great additions from Maria Alvarez and Mayra Caicedo, who combined for 52 of Colombia’s points. Colombia celebrated. Mexico was led offensively by 22 points from Adriana Salinas.

 On the last day of the Group Phase, Group A will feature Argentina vs Chile and Puerto Rico vs USA, meanwhile, Group B will present Colombia vs El Salvador and Canada vs Mexico.

The Quarter-Finals of the FIBA U18 Americas Women’s Championship will be played on August 5, the Semi-Finals will be played on August 6 and the Finals on August 7.

The top four teams from the continental championship will qualify to the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2019.

FIBA