PUR/DOM - Puerto Rico gets first win in Caribbean Classic:

CUIABÁ (FIBA Americas Championship for Women) – Puerto Rico got their first win at the FIBA Americas Championship for Women by dominating the Dominican Republic 83-44 on day three of the tournament played in Cuiabá, Brazil.

Cynthia Valentin led Puerto Rico with 22 points and Pamela Rosado along with Aixanell Santos followed with 11 each. Puerto Rico finished shooting 35-62 from the field for 56% and dished 23 assists.

Puerto Rico won the first quarter 22-14 as guard Lindsay Gonzalez led with 7 points and Valentin had 5. In the second quarter Puerto Rico pulled away with an 11-0 run to take a 43-22 lead at the half. Valentin had 11 points and Millie Martinez netted 7.

In the second half Puerto Rico took advantage of the mistakes from the Dominican team and also scored consistently from long range to keep the lead and get their first win.

Jennifer Estrella led the Dominicans with 12 points and Charlenny Frias 10. Andreina Paniagua, who was their best scorer in the first two days, ended with just two points by shooting 0-10 from the field, she only made two free throws in the final quarter.

The Puerto Ricans ended with a 1-2 record and will play in the Classification Round (5-8) against the loser of the game between Venezuela and Chile. The Dominican Republic ended 0-3 in the Preliminary Round and plays the winner of the Venezuela-Chile game.

Luis Modestti
FIBA Americas