SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - Canada and the USA showed their dominant side to capture new wins in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2019.

The Canadian troop showed its champion badge and defeated the host, 78-50, to continue as Group A leader.

The Canadians established the conditions of the match from the get-go with its defense and took the first quarter 24-14. The hosts tried to react in the second and third periods with some passages in their favor, but the team from the North always adjusted and stretched the advantage again.

The duo formed by Jamie Scott and center Kayla Alexander was blunt, with 20 and 19 points, respectively.

This was Canada’s 15 straight win in the continental championship; the team’s last loss in the championship remounts to the Final of the 2013 edition.

For Puerto Rico, Pamela Rosado left 11 points and Jazmone Gwathmey added nine.

For its part, the United States appealed again to its physical power and reached its second victory in Group B by defeating Colombia, 88-46.

The North Americans imposed their size and dominated the battle in rebounds 54-24 while scoring 54 points from the paint.

Experienced center Sylvia Fowles and also Stefanie Dolson, punished the opponent’s defense with 22 and 13 points, respectively. Napheesa Collier added 11 points, including 3-3 from three-point land.

In the other Group B duel, Argentina leveled its record by defeating Paraguay with a score of 74-54.

Agostina Burani made the difference for the albicelestes by scoring 22 points and capturing 11 rebounds.

Andrea Boquete also stood out with 15 goals (three three-pointers) and eight assists.

Paraguay remained in its tonic of depending too much on Paola Ferrari, who finished with 27 points and five three-pointers.

Meanwhile, Cuba, after two consecutive losses, recovered and defeated the Dominican Republic 65-62, in Group A action.

Yamara Amargo and Anisleidy Galindo lived a great day with 30 and 18 points, respectively, before a Dominican defense, that found no way to contain them.

The game showed constant parity, but Cuba tipped the balance in its favor with its transition offensive) and by capitalizing on second chances (13 points for two of the Dominicans in that section).

Galindo was crucial at the close of the game by stealing a ball and scoring a basket to put her team in front, 63-55, with 2:21 minutes left to play. Then she hit a couple of free throws to put the scoreboard 65-60, with 1:22 on the clock.

The Dominican Republic had one last chance to equalize with eight seconds, but Cheisy Hernández didn’t score from three-point land.

During the fourth day of the Group Phase, Mexico will face Cuba, Brazil will face Paraguay, Argentina will take-on the USA and the Dominican Republic will face the hosts.

FIBA