USA dig deep to beat Brazil on opening day of Toronto 2015

TORONTO (2015 Pan American Games) - Cuba, Puerto Rico, hosts Canada and the United States all tasted victory on the opening day of the women's basketball tournament at the Pan American Games.

The United States had the toughest fight, winning 75-69 over Brazil.

Breanna Stewart, a member of the USA's title-winning side at last year's FIBA Women's World Championship in Turkey, combined with Moriah Jefferson to score 47 of the USA's points.

Stewart had 26 points and 12 rebounds and Jefferson poured in 21 points.

The USA threatened to blow the contest wide open in the second quarter when they opened up a 16-point advantage, only for Brazil to battle back.

When they went on a 14-0 run in the third quarter, Luis Zanon's side led 48-46.

However, a pair of free throws by Jefferson and a three-point play from Stewart helped the USA close the quarter with an 11-2 run of their own to to regain control of the contest.

"You never want to lose a lead like we did, but we went through some adversity, and we didn't panic," USA coach Lisa Bluder said.

"Everybody stayed calm."

We knew we could battle back, and I thought that was really good for our team - Bluder

For Brazil, Patricia Teixeira scored 18 points and veteran Kelly Santos had 10 points and 11 boards.

"Playing against the United States is always complicated in basketball," Zanon said.

"We now need to prepare for the next game which is decisive."

That next game for Brazil is against defending champions Puerto Rico, who thumped the Dominican Republic, 76-54, in their opener.

In the day's other games, Cuba stormed into an early 11-point advantage and kept their noses in front the rest of the way en route to a 68-55 triumph over Argentina.

Canada thrashed Venezuela, 101-38.

Go to fiba.com/Americaswomen2015 for complete coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship.

FIBA