SAN SALVADOR (El Salvador) - Plagued by 27 team turnovers, the Dominican Republic drops their first game of the Centrobasket Women’s Championship after losing to Puerto Rico 99-90 Thursday night in El Salvador. Puerto Rico scored 35 points off of turnovers alone, securing their second victory of the tournament.

Both teams traded field goals in the first quarter and struggled with turnovers. Puerto Rico’s Pamela Rosado continued her great point guard play, helping her team get out to a quick 9-point lead. She finished the game with 11 assists.
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While the Dominican Republic got hot in the second quarter from an 8-0 run, Puerto Rico soon responded, led by Jada Shanice Stinson, who finished the game with 25 points on 50 percent shooting in addition to 4 steals and 3 rebounds.

Ultimately, Puerto Rico responded well in the second half. Elemy Caridad Colome tried to keep the Dominican Republic in the game as she exploded for nearly 10 points in the third quarter, but it was not enough to stop Puerto Rico’s dominant offensive attack. They grew their lead to as much as 14 points in the third quarter.

The Dominican Republic did cut Puerto Rico’s lead to 2 with 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter; however, they could not protect the ball, allowing Puerto Rico and Stinson to take advantage.

Caridad Colome contributed 25 points while Surgeiy Monsac grabbed 10 rebounds for the Dominican Republic, who will face the U.S. Virgin Islands Friday afternoon. Puerto Rico will go up against a tough opponent in hometown favorite El Salvador.

FIBA