ARG/BRA - Argentina, Brazil win to reach Final

NEIVA (FIBA Americas Championship for Women) - Marina Cava is going to leave the FIBA Americas Championship after Saturday's gold-medal game against Brazil with a much-enhanced reputation.

The Argentina guard came up with a steal and lay-up just two seconds from the end to stun Canada 61-59 and lift her side into the title game.

The Argentinians will face Brazil, who defeated Cuba 66-53 in Friday's other Semi-Final, not just for the title but also a spot in the Olympics.

Canada dug themselves an early hole but managed to climb out of it.

They stormed back from a 14-point deficit in the second quarter but continued to battle and eventually took the lead when Miranda Ayim intercepted a pass by Débora González and passed to Kim Smith for a lay-up to make it 51-50 with less than four minutes to go.

Chelsea Aubrey then popped a three-pointer for Allison McNeill's team.

A pair of Agostina Burani jump shots kept the Argentinians within striking distance but Smith's basket in the lane pushed the Canadian advantage back to 58-54 with 1:14 to go.

Paula Reggiardo, who had a game-high 18 points, scored for the South Americans to cut the gap to two and after Ayim split two free-throws, a Carolina Sanchez three-ball knotted the game at 59-59 for Argentina with 11 seconds to play.

Canada called a timeout.

When play resumed, Cava stole the ball from Smith with five seconds to play and dribbled in for the lay-up that gave her side victory.

Shone Thorburn's desperation heave at the buzzer was off target for Canada and Argentina's players celebrated a second straight appearance in the Final of the FIBA Americas Championship for Women.

Canada hurt themselves at the free-throw line by making just seven of 16 attempts.

The lay-up for Cava proved to be her only basket of the game.

She had scored 16 of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter of Argentina's thrilling win over Cuba in Group A on Tuesday.

Reggiardo picked a good time to have her best game of the tournament.

The Argentina shooting guard, who buried four of eight shots from long range, went into the contest averaging 4.5 points per game.

"I thought it was a very hard fought game by both teams," said Aubry, who led the Canadians with 14 points.

"Unfortunately the ball didn't fall our way on the last possession and we didn't get the call that we wanted.

"It's a tough break but hopefully tomorrow we can come out and get a win and finish third.

"We have to look forward now to the future and prepare for next year as well as we can so from there we can go onto the Olympics."

By reaching the Semi-Finals, Canada assured themselves of a spot in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women.

In Brazil's victory over Cuba, point guard Adrianinha almost finished with a triple-double.

She walked off the floor with nine points, 12 assists and 13 rebounds.

Looking ahead to the title tilt with Argentina, Adrianinha said: "Argentina is always a strong opponent and we will use all our weapons against them in the quest for the Olympic spot."

Center Erika de Souza led the winners with 20 points.

"Tomorrow will be a great game against Argentina," she said.

"It will be a very emotional game.

"We are all very motivated, because only one team leaves with the job done."

Brazil out-rebounded Cuba 47-30.

FIBA