AYSEN (Chile) - USA won the gold medal of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship 2019, categorically defeating Canada with a score of 87-37, in the Final that took place this Saturday at the Polideportivo 21 de Abril in Aysen, Chile.

USA dominated from the start and jumped to an early comfortable lead after holding the Canadians to just 2 points in the first ten minutes of the game. The USA kept adding to the difference with great offensive additions from Verhulst, Cintron, and Poffenbarger. USA celebrated its fifth continental U16 title.

Payton Verhulst was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament after scoring 18 points in the Final and averaging 13.8 during the tournament.

Isaline Alexander (CAN), Fernanda Ovalle (CHI), Lauren Betts (USA), Sonia Cintron (USA) and Payton Verhulst (USA) were selected to the All-Star team of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship.

Chile won the bronze medal with a thrilling 59-49 win over Puerto Rico. The Boricuas had the better start and went into half-time with a three-point lead. Led offensively by Fernanda Ovalle the Chileans won the third quarter 18-2, to take a commanding lead on the scoreboard. Puerto Rico discounted from the difference during the last quarter, but the Chileans celebrated the win and the bronze with their fans.

In the reclassification Round, Ecuador took fifth place after defeating Brazil, 59-47, and Mexico took seventh place by defeating El Salvador, 61-38.

FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship 2019 Final Positions:
1. USA*
2. Canada*
3. Chile*
4. Puerto Rico*
5. Ecuador
6. Brazil
7. Mexico
8. El Salvador
* Qualified to the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2020

FIBA