Balanced USA power past Cuba for opening victory

OSCEOLA (United States) - USA started their FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers campaign on the right foot with a 100-79 win against Cuba in Group D.

 

USA doubled-up Cuba in the first quarter 32-16 and ended the quarter on a 17-4 run.

Despite only having seven players available for the game, Cuba gave all they had with their limited resources and outscored USA 47-41 across the second and third quarters.

They even got to within six points in the third quarter before USA extended their lead out by double figures again and put the game out of reach.

All 12 USA players got into the scoring column, led by Jahmius Ramsey’s 20 points and Gerald Hannahs’ 19 points in 13 minutes off the bench (10 points in the third quarter). Ramsey also chipped in 8 rebounds and 3 assists, while Hannahs knocked down a game-high four three-pointers.

 

 

 

USA’s Jayce Johnson and Elfrid Payton crashed the glass and grabbed 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively.

USA got 52 points from their bench, scored 52 points in the paint, outrebounded Cuba 54-35 and shot just under 50 percent from the field (49.4) in the 21-point victory.

 

On the other side, Reynaldo Garcia led Cuba with a team-high 19 points while Jasiel Rivero posted a team-high 22 efficiency with 16 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks.

These two teams will meet again on Sunday where Cuba will host at Coliseo de la Ciudad Deportiva.

 

FIBA