Colombia holds off Mexico’s comeback to earn first win

    Game Report

    The Colombians built a 20-point lead in the first half and took an important step toward advancing to the next round.

    SANTIAGO (Chile) – Third time’s the charm for Colombia. After a painful loss in its opener and a lopsided defeat the following day, the South Americans earned their first win at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025 on Monday, defeating Mexico 71-60 at the Centro de Deportes Colectivos in Santiago. Colombia built an early lead in the first quarter and held it until the end, surviving a late push by Mexico that cut a 26-point deficit down to just 7. With the win, Colombia avoided the bottom of Group B and made a key move toward qualifying for the Quarter-Finals.

    Turning point

    Colombia opened the game with a 22-6 run in the first quarter and went into halftime with a 21-point lead (42-21). That strong first half gave them enough cushion to weather Mexico’s comeback attempt. Colombia knocked down eight three-pointers in the first 20 minutes, pulling away from a Mexican team that struggled with its shooting, converting just 10 percent from the field in that span (6-for-33). While Mexico had a poor shooting night, credit must also go to Colombia’s defensive coverage and rebounding presence.

    Player of the game

    Yuliany Paz scored in every quarter and finished with 11 points and 8 rebounds. Along with Daniela González, she anchored the defense in the paint, denying easy baskets near the rim. Manuela Ríos once again led Colombia’s offense with 12 points, adding 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Colombia had a balanced attack, with Valentina López contributing 11 points off the bench, and Mabel Martínez, Jenifer Muñoz, and Marta Moscarella scoring 9 points each.

    For Mexico, Hazel Ramírez and Anisa Jeffries led the way with 15 points apiece. Jeffries also recorded a double-double with 11 rebounds, showcasing her versatility around the basket.

    Stats don’t lie

    It was a tough offensive night for Mexico. The team shot 21-for-75 from the field for just 28 percent efficiency, and handed out only three assists in the first half. Meanwhile, Colombia thrived in transition, scoring 19 fast break points and capitalizing on Mexico’s mistakes with 13 points off turnovers. Despite turning the ball over only once more than its opponent (12 to 11), Mexico managed just four points off of takeaways.

    Bottom line

    Colombia improved its head-to-head record against Mexico to 2-0 in Women’s AmeriCup history. The team now faces another crucial game on Tuesday, when it takes on host Chile. Mexico, now with a 1-1 record, will also return to the court on Tuesday to face Puerto Rico.

    They said

    Daniela González, who tallied 2 blocks, 6 rebounds, and 4 points, shared her thoughts after Colombia’s first win in Chile: “We came in this one with two losses, so we knew that we had to play hard,” González said. "I think we were better prepared today… We were very focused!”

    Daniela González

    FIBA

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