VALDIVIA (FIBA Americas Championship for Women) - In a hot duel in front of 4,000 fans, Argentina defeated Chile 66-63 in overtime to go into the semifinals of the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship for Women.
 
Tatiana Gomez scored two free throws with five seconds left to give the host team a 56-55 lead but then with two seconds left Marcela Paoletta was sent to the line with two seconds left and netted one of two to send the game into overtime.
 
In overtime Argentina took advantage of many mistakes by Valentina Aragonese in the closing seconds to seal the game from the free throw line.
 
The first half ended 29-19 in favor of Argentina after winning the first quarter 16-15.
 
But in the second half Chile was led by Tatiana Gomez and Javiera Novion to force the game into overtime.
 
Florencia Fernandez led Argentina with 23 and Marcela Paoletta netted 13.
 
In a losing effort Tatiana Gomez and Ziomara Morrison had 14 each.
 
On Saturday Canada takes on Mexico (11:30) and Jamaica meets Chile (14:00) in the consolation round.
 
In the semifinals USA faces Argentina and Brazil takes on Cuba (20:00). The winners in this round go for the Gold and the first place team qualifies directly into the Olympics. The other three semifinals go into the World Pre-Olympic Tourmanent.