Canada and USA to do battle for gold at Pan American Games

TORONTO (2015 Pan American Games/2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship) - The United States had to come from behind to beat Cuba, 65-64, in Sunday's first Semi-Final before hosts Canada displayed their dominance in a 91-63 victory over Brazil, setting up a Gold Medal Game showdown between the North American teams at the Pan American Games on Monday.

Brazil and Cuba will square off in the Bronze Medal Game.

Cuba got off to a great start against the USA, using their speed to take an 11-point lead at the end of the first half, 37-26.

However, the USA emerged from the locker room a different team as they established their game and a 20-11 third quarter saw them get within two, 48-46. The Cubans reacted and continued to produce, but the team coached by Lisa Bluder stayed close and tied the score at 61.

Ineidis Casanova scored with 13 seconds left to play to put Cuba up 64-63. The Cubans then fouled Linnae Harper and sent her to the line, where she made both free-throws to put the USA up 65-64 for the final score. Harper finished with a game-high 16 points.

In the other Semi-Final, Lisa Thomaidis' team jumped out to a 22-9 first quarter lead and never looked back. Nirra Fields had 15 points to lead four players in double digits as the home team used a 33-18 third quarter to put the result beyond doubt.

In the day's other games, Argentina took advantage of Carla Cortijo's absence to see off Puerto Rico 77-56 and finish in fifth place, while Venezuela dominated Dominican Republic to take a 72-56 victory and come in seventh.

FIBA