FIBA Americas U18 Championship – Day One

 FIBA Americas U18 Championship started on Wednesday in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Teams will not only be fighting for medals, but also four places in FIBA U19 World Championships in 2013 are up for grabs.

Defending champions USA started the tournament in style by almost quadrupling the score of Dominican Republic on their way to a 73 point win. Americans were led by two future UConn players Morgan Tuck and Breanna Stewart, with Tuck scoring almost as much as the whole Dominican team.

Argentinian guard Magali Armesto scored 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds as Argentina claimed their first win of the tournament by defeating Columbia. Micaela Sancisi scored 18 points for Argentina who didn’t trail the Colombians the whole game.

Brazil found themselves behind Canada 17 points in the first half, but they dug themselves before and after the halftime as they went on a 15-0 run to take a one point lead early in the third quarter. Canadians managed to tie the game a couple of times, but Brazil had the momentum which they carried to a ten point victory. Forward Maria Fonseca Teixeira led all scorers with 14 points.

Mexico held the hosts scoreless for more than 9 minutes in the second half, but that wasn’t enough to erase a 12 point deficit. Puerto Rico claimed a close victory. Home side was led by wing Claudia Ortiz Ledesma with 13 points, Daniela Pardo Villeda scored 13 points for Mexico.

Top two teams in each group will advance to the semifinals and assure their places in U19 Worlds.

Group A

Dominican Republic – USA 26-99
Dominican Republic: Hernandez 9, Abreu Alvarez 6, Rodriguez Jimenez 3, Carmona Peralta 3
USA: Tuck 23, Stewart 14, Agee 11, Mabrey 9, Prince 9

Argentina – Columbia 56-46
Argentina: Armesto 20 (12 reb), Sancisi 18, Jerez Pilotti 5, Marchizotti 5
Columbia: Ramirez Torres 14, Prens Garcia 11, Tapias Pinilla 9

Group B

Canada – Brazil 46-56
Canada: Cooper 9, Marois 7, Purkovic 6, Cambpell 6 (11 reb)
Brazil: Fonseca Teixeira 14, Ramona Lyra Macedo 11, Silva De Freitas 11 (12 reb), Fausto Goncalves 9

Puerto Rico – Mexico 51-48
Puerto Rico: Ortiz Ledesma 13, Armesto Rivera 11, Leon Garcia 8
Mexico: Pardo Villeda 13, Faz Davalos 11 (10 reb), Morales Castro 9