Wins for United States, Colombia, Brazil and Puerto Rico on opening day at the Pan American Games women's basketball

LIMA (Peru) –USA, Colombia, Brazil and Puerto Rico were winners in the first day of women's basketball in the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, which are taking place at Eduardo Dibós Coliseum.

The American squad had to put it all in to overcome an uncomfortable Argentina, 70-62, in a Group B game.

In fact, the Argentines managed to take the lead in the middle of the third quarter, 45-37, thanks to a three-pointer by Débora González, but the Americans started pressing on the defense and with a 14-3 streak they closed the third quarter, 51-47, in the upside.

Starting the final quarter, Kathleen Doyle scored a three-pointer to broaden the difference by seven points, 54-47. From that point on there was a constant exchange of points and Argentina wasn't able to take the lead. With 1:50 minutes left to the end, a two-pointer by Ornella Santana seemed to give some air to the South American team by placing the scoreboard at 64-58. However, Tyasha Harris contained the attack with a steal when the Argentines were getting ready for a new attack and assisted Chennedy Carter with a layup set things 66-58 with a minute and a half left in the clock.

The United States very efficiently capitalized on their opponents’ mistakes by scoring 19 points thanks to their rivals’ 15 losses. Meanwhile, the Argentines achieved 15 points of the Americans’ 23 lost chances.

Carter, with 14 points, and Harris, with 13, were the greatest scorers for the red, white and blue. As for Argentina, González and Andrea Boquete contributed 14 points each.

A three-pointer by María Palacio and two free throws by Yanet Arias in the final moments gave Colombians their 69-66 win against the Virgin Islands, also in Group B.

The Colombian five were behind for almost the entire game, fighting head to head with the Caribbean squad, but in the last quarter, they finally found the crease to slip into. First, it was Palacio’s shot when there were 1:12 left to the final whistle, placing the Colombians at 67-64. The Virgin Islands answered with a two-pointer by Anisha George, just behind by one point and recovering the ball. Nonetheless, they couldn’t grasp the lead and after an offensive rebound that gave them a second chance, Palacio appeared once again with a key steal for Colombia.

The USVI, with 10 seconds left, sent Arias to the line, who scored two points from the foul line to set the score. Imani Tate tried a three-pointer in the islanders’ last attack but couldn’t score.

Arias was Colombia's outstanding figure, with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and five steals. Narlyn Mosquera was also dazzling with 18 points and 18 rebounds. Natalie Day and Tate carried the Virgin Islands with 23 and 22 points, respectively.

In Group A, in an exciting duel from beginning to end, Brazil showcased their best and defeated Canada, 79-71.

The Amazon defense was efficient by only allowing their opponents a 32% in field goal efficiency, (24/75) and the attack was balanced, with 38 points from the bench.

The first half was tied at 40, but Brazil in the third quarter with 19-12 swayed the game in their favor and had the capability of keeping the point-difference.

Clarissa Dos Santos and Patricia Texeira scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, for the Brazilians. As for Canada, Shaina Pellington contributed 21 units and Ruth Hamblin 16 with 10 rebounds.

In the other game of the bracket, Puerto Rico vanquished Paraguay, 91-73.
The Puerto Ricans had a solid start, leading the game 24-7, and were able to maintain the distance by using their rivals’ errors to their advantage (scoring 24 points thanks to 19 errors of the Paraguayans) and controlling the boards (40 rebounds against 31). The bench also reacted impressively by scoring 42 points.

Paraguay sometimes came close and at the beginning of the fourth quarter were 12 points behind, but the Puerto Ricans headed on. A two-pointer by Jennifer O’Neill, when three minutes were left on the clock, once again stretched the distance, almost definitively, at 85-67.

Jazmone Gwathmey, with 21 points, and Pamela Rosado with 16 and 11 rebounds, led Puerto Rico. Paola Ferrari, with 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists, was Paraguay's outstanding player.

This Thursday, in the second game day, Paraguay and Canada will face each other starting at 10:30 AM (local game time). Then it’ll be Argentina and Colombia's turn (1:30 PM), followed by the Virgin Islands against the United States (6:00 PM), and Brazil and Puerto Rico will meet for the final game of the day (9:00 PM).

FIBA