Semi-Finals are set: Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico, USA head to FIBA Women's World Cup 2022 Qualifiers

SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - With four semifinal spots on the line, it was the favorites that set up what should be an exciting pair of games on Friday in advance of the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2021 championship.

Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States punched their ticket to the FIBA Women's World Cup 2022 Qualifiers after their Quarter-Finals victories.

USA, the heavy favorite to win AmeriCup gold, looked unstoppable again, while Canada wasn’t far behind with their dominance.

Here’s everything that happened in the Quarter-Finals matchups on Thursday:

United States 97 – US Virgin Islands 46

As has been the case throughout this tournament, the United States used what makes them so dangerous: depth and ball movement. While Nazahrah Hillmon-Baker led the team with 17 points, 11 different players scored at least three points and four total scored in double figures. Most importantly, they had an impressive 29 assists on 34 made fields.

Imani Tate dropped 18 for the US Virgin Islands, but she also shot an inefficient 7-of-20 from the field and didn’t have a single assist.

The Virgin Islands always faced a tall task in keeping the game close vs. the United States, but the talent and athleticism differential between the two teams was obvious.
Next up for the United States is a matchup with Brazil in the first semifinal on Friday evening (18:10 local time).

Canada 90 – Dominican Republic 53

Aislinn Konig and Laeticia Amihere combined for 40 of Canada’s 90 points and the team nailed 14 3-pointers in what was a complete performance.

It was a tale of two halves for Canada as their offense did the heavy lifting in the opening half – 28 points in the second quarter – while their defense was in lockdown mode in the second half. They allowed just 18 total points in the third and fourth frames and did a better job of shutting down Dominican Republic’s leading scorer Yohanna Morton – who had 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting for the game.

With Canada on the opposite side of the United States in the bracket, they will duel vs. Puerto Rico in the second Semi-Final on Friday evening (21:10 local time).

Brazil 90 – Venezuela 59

Brazil was the third team to advance as they shut down Venezuela with a dominant opening 20 minutes that put them up 49-18 at the half. The Brazilian side never looked back thanks to an obliteration in the paint that included a 16-rebound margin on the glass, 18 second-chance points and 42 total points in the paint.

On top of their production inside, Brazil received 57 points from their bench, while Venezuela scored only three in that category.

While the United States and Canada are the top two current teams in the tournament because of their depth and past production in AmeriCup’s, this game proved that Brazil cannot be counted out. They only lost to Canada by four in group play and their speed, height and roster flexibility should not be overlooked when it comes to potentially winning this event.
First, they must get past the United States, though, in what should be an intriguing Semi-Final.

Puerto Rico 77 – Colombia 69

In what was the closest and most competitive game of the quarterfinal round, Colombia jumped out to an 11-point lead after the end of the first quarter. Puerto Rico responded with a monster second period before using a massive game from Jazmon Gwathmey (29 points) to hold on for victory.

Colombia struggled to find bench production, but Narlyn Mosquera already had a double-double late in the third quarter, keeping them competitive against a more experienced PR side.
Second-chance points were the difference maker overall, though, as PR recorded 18 more points off offensive rebounds.

Puerto Rico will now face Canada in a game they will surely need the value of their home court advantage in order to upset the three-time champs.

 FIBA