FIBA Americas C'ship Women – Brazil, Canada win big

NEIVA (FIBA Americas Championship) - Brazil, Canada, Cuba and hosts Colombia were convincing winners on the opening day of the FIBA Americas Championship for Women.

The side that finishes top of the podium at this event will earn a trip to the London Games, while the teams that come in second and third will claim places at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women.

Brazil played the second game of the day and thrashed Paraguay 117-34 in Group B.

Center Erika de Souza led Brazil with 18 points and eight rebounds.

The game was effectively over by the end of the first quarter when the Brazilians had a 28-5 lead.

"I am delighted with the outcome of the game," De Souza said.

"We earned the win by a good margin and now it's time to start thinking about the game tomorrow against Canada."

Canada delivered a first-quarter knockout against Mexico.

Allison McNeill's side stormed into a 19-4 lead and rolled to a 72-45 triumph.

Kalisha Keane, a standout at Michigan State University, had 15 points and five boards for the Canadians.

Teresa Gabriel, the Canada point guard and captain, said: “We came out strong and executed fairly well.

"Defensively, we were very good, holding Mexico to nine points in the first half.

"We shot the ball well and we all brought energy, which is something we’ve sometimes been lacking. It was a good first win.”

In the first game of the day, the Cubans trailed Puerto Rico 27-26 at half-time but pulled away in the second half and claimed a 67-50 victory in Group A.

Taimy Fernandez and Oyanaisy Gelis each had 14 points in a balanced Cuban scoring attack.

Cuba's Suchitel Avila buried a three-ball nearly four minutes into the third quarter to knot the game at 33-33.

After Carla Cortijo sank two free-throws to put Puerto Rico back in front, Leidys Oquendo hit a shot from the arc for Cuba for a 36-35 lead.

Alberto Zabala's team stayed on top the rest of the way.

Also in Group A, Colombia thrilled their home fans by beating Chile, 69-50.

Tathiana Mosquera scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the home side.

Mabel Martinez also weighed in with 13 points and seven boards.

Chile's Javiera Novion led her side with 19 points and 10 boards.

FIBA