Americas Women's U18 C'ship tips off with wins for Canada, Brazil, USA and Puerto Rico

VALDIVIA (FIBA Americas U18 Women's Championship) - The first day of the FIBA Americas U18 Women’s Championship handed victories to the National Teams of Canada, Brazil, USA and Puerto Rico.

Canada started the FIBA Americas U18 Women’s Championship with a telling victory over Mexico, 87-56. After a 9-0 run Canada fell into a slump and Mexico took advantage, taking the first quarter. Showing great determination on both sides of the court. The Canadians showed its variants and after a 26-12 third quarter, Carly Clark’s team headed to a promising and extensive lead. Nothing changed on the fourth quarter and Canada kept adding, to take its first win in Group B action.

Konig was the top scorer for the Canadians with 19 points. Meanwhile, on a lost cause Tapias added 14 for the Mexicans.

Group A action began at the FIBA Americas U18 Women’s Championship when Brazil dominated Venezuela, 68-50. From the get-go Brazil established the game with a 17-6 first quarter. Venezuela won the second quarter, but the Brazilians shined and with long-range precision created a 28-10 quarter. Venezuela won the fourth quarter, but the established lead was too high and the victory belonged to the Brazilian team.

With 5 three-pointers, Lays was the top scorer for the Brazilians with 17 points.

USA had no difficulty against Guatemala and dominated the Central American team from start to finish. USA started its title defense on the right foot, after a … victory. The North Americans dominated all the categories of the stats, marking clear dominance capturing 73 rebounds and shooting for a 54 percent from the field.

Shooting for a 67% from the field, Chennedy Carter was the top scorer for the USA with 17 points.

Puerto Rico ruined Chile’s debut at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship after defeating the the host, 88-74. Puerto Rico controlled the game from the get-go and established a short lead on the scoreboard, with a 26-18 first quarter. With a suffocating distance and taking advantage of Chile’s inefficiencies on offense, Puerto Rico expanded the lead to 26 points during the second quarter, after holding the opponent to zero points during more than 5 minutes. Puerto Rico held the difference and took the victory.

Nicolette Oppenheimer was the top scorer for Puerto Rico with 23 points. With 25 points, Antero led the offensive for the Chileans.

Tomorrow on the second day of the FIBA Americas U18 Women’s Championship, Guatemala will take on Venezuela, Puerto Rico will face Mexico, Brazil will take on the USA and to close out the day, Chile match-up against Canada.

FIBA