SANTIAGO (Chile) – The United States will once again make an appearance in the FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2025 Final as it defeated Canada 65-53 on Saturday evening at Centro de Deportes Colevtivos. This is USA's eighth win against Canada in nine AmeriCup matches. The team has won their last seven matches.
Turning point
Canada was hot on United States' heels, even taking the lead back in the third quarter 48-45, but quickly, with the work of Hannah Hidalgo on a driving layup, cut the lead to a single point before she and Kennedy Smith each scored to take a 51-48 lead. Holding onto that lead, the United States defensively held Canada to just five points in the final quarter while scoring 14 of its own, securing victory by double digits.
TCL player of the game
Hannah Hidalgo led her team with 19 points, including going 8-of-15 from two-point range, as well as tallying 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals in the win.
Stats don’t lie
The U.S. was stealthy defensively, grabbing 17 steals and blocking 10 shots against Canada, while forcing its North American rival to commit 19 fouls to its 10. The fast break, however is where the United States excelled, scoring 29 points in transition compared to nine for Canada. Using their size, the U.S. team also dominated in the paint, scoring 38 points down low compared to Canada's 22, and scored 16 second-chance points while Canada tallied just eight. Despite the win, the USA's eight assists are its second-fewest in an AmeriCup game.
Bottom line
The Canadians struggled to shoot from deep, making just 14.3 of their three-point attempts, which the United States used to its advantage to grab the ball and score in transition using speed. Canada's 2 three-pointers match its second-fewest in an AmeriCup game. While Canada may have won the rebound battle and moved the ball well, United States used their size, speed, and athleticism to triumph in the fourth quarter and will now make its return to the Women’s AmeriCup Final once again.
They said
"All it's about is just making sure we take care of business tomorrow. I don't really care about any awards as long as we win gold, that's going to make me happy," said U.S.’s Gianna Kneepkens, the current MVP fan poll leader, displacing Kamilla Cardoso. "I'm just ready to compete for tomorrow, and we'll be ready!” “We’re excited, we’re all going to come locked in… We were really locked in today, so I’m excited for what comes tomorrow,” said Hidalgo.
FIBA