SANTIAGO (Chile) – Argentina took control in the first half with solid long-range shooting and kept the Dominican Republic at bay for the rest of the game to secure its first win in Group A by 67-51 at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025. In the victory, veteran point guard Melisa Gretter dished out 4 assists, bringing her career total in the Women’s AmeriCup to 119 and making her the tournament’s assists leader since 2003, surpassing Cuba’s Ineidis Casanova (116).
Turning point
Argentina’s defense shut out the Dominican Republic during the final three minutes of the second quarter, while the South Americans went on an 11-0 run—capped by a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Macarena D’urso off a Gretter assist. This brought the team into halftime with a commanding 38-20 lead. The Argentinians managed the gap wisely and never allowed the lead to drop below double digits for the remainder of the contest.
Player of the game
Florencia Chagas, who had been limited in Argentina’s first two games, showcased her talent this time, leading the team with 23 points (including 6 three-pointers), 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block
D’urso added 10 points, while Diana Cabrera pulled down 15 rebounds (five offensive) and chipped in 7 points. For the Dominican Republic, Cesarina Capellán was the only player to score in double figures, finishing with 17 points.
Stats don’t lie
Argentina hit 11 three-pointers in the game, eight of which came in the first half, including five from Chagas. Her six total three-pointers mark the second-highest total in a single game at the Women’s AmeriCup since 2003 (a mark previously reached by four other players). Additionally, Agostina Burani surpassed the 200-rebound mark in her Women’s AmeriCup career during the game (now at 201), moving into third place on the tournament’s rebounding list since 2003, trailing only Brazil’s Érika de Souza (244) and Canada’s Kim Gaucher (207). The Dominican Republic committed 20 turnovers and recorded only 9 assists. Ten of those turnovers came in the first half, allowing Argentina to dominate points off turnovers 12-1 in the opening 20 minutes.
Bottom line
Argentina improved to 1-2 in Group A, and the win puts them in a solid position to fight for at least third place in the group, provided the team defeats El Salvador in the matchup on Tuesday. The Dominican Republic fell to 1-1 and will face defending champion Brazil on Tuesday.
They said
Speaking with FIBA Americas after the game, Gretter said that despite her milestone, what mattered most was the team’s victory: “Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about any record, but I’m happy. I’m especially grateful to my teammates who helped me achieve it. What mattered most to me—and what I prepared for—was to be in top shape for this tournament and to help Argentina finish as high as possible,” said the 32-year-old. “Today’s win was very important for our goals and for our morale, but now we’re already focused on the next game (against El Salvador) and trying to keep moving in the right direction,” she added.
FIBA