LEON (Mexico) – Scoring 20 points and holding their opponent to just 6 in the third quarter, Colombia closed out the group stage with a 59-42 win over Mexico at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup at Domo de la Feria in León, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Claudia Ramos and Jacqueline Luna started the scoring early for Mexico, combining for 9 of the team’s 13 points in the first quarter as they held Colombia to just 9 points. Mexico controlled the defensive boards early grabbing 11 rebounds in the quarter and kept Colombia to 18 percent shooting.

But in the second quarter, Esperanza Delgado led the charge as she scored 6 points both from beyond the three-point arc to go along with Manuela Rios’ 6 points, and suddenly the game was tied at 26-26 going into the halftime break.

Paola Beltran scored 7 of Mexico’s 13 points in the quarter, but as Colombia played tough defense they were able to get second chances under the basket they were able to close the gap against a quick Mexico side.

After having just 2 points in the first half, Jenifer Muñoz – one of Colombia’s best scorers all competition – erupted for 14 points in the third quarter, over two-thirds of Colombia’s total points for the quarter.

Muñoz knocked down three triples during that time, and as Mexico committed 6 turnovers in the quarter that resulted in 10 points for Colombia while Mexico was held to just 6 points total in the quarter thanks to Beltran, Ramos and Myriam Lara each netting two points.

While the two teams kept it much closer in the final frame of action, Colombia still got the advantage 13-10 and held off Mexico by 17 points to close out group play of the tournament as Colombia secured third in their group.

Muñoz led Colombia with 17 points and 8 rebounds, Rios added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and Delgado tallied 11 points in Colombia’s win.

Beltran was Mexico’s only double-digit scorer with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists and Luna added 9 points and 3 rebounds in the loss.

FIBA