FIBA Americas U18 Championship – Day Two

 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.

Columbia overcame second half Dominican Republic’s comeback to earn their first win of the tournament. They led by as much as 14 during the first half before Dominican’s tied the game at the end of third quarter. Columbia’s Maria Tapias Pinilla became the top scorer of day two with 23 points.

Favorites to win it all, USA, allowed Argentina to score only 28 points in the whole game on their way to a 40 point win. Power forward Breanna Stewart led the Americans with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Brazil remained undefeated in Group B as they doubled Mexico on the scoresheet. Maria Ferreira De Oliveira was the top Brazilian player with 13 points on 5 from 6 shooting and 8 rebounds.

Canadians claimed their first win of the tournament by defeating the hosts Puerto Rico thanks to strong second half performance. Paige Crozon scored 18 points (8/14 FG) while Michelle Hudyn recorded a double-double (10p & 10r) for Canada in the win.

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

Group A

Columbia – Dominican Republic 47-40
Columbia : Tapias Pinilla 23, Sosa Garcia 11, Ramirez Torres 6
Dominican Republic: Feliz Rodriguez 11, Abreu Alvarez 11 (12 reb), Hernandez 8 (10 reb)

USA – Argentina 68-28
USA: Stewart 17 (12 reb), Mabrey 13, Tuck 12
Argentina: Ramirez Torres 14, Prens Garcia 11, Tapias Pinilla 9

Standings: USA 2-0, Columbia 1-1, Argentina 1-1, Dominican Republic 0-2

Group B

Mexico – Brazil 31-62
Mexico: Faz Davalos 11 (13 reb), Morales Castro 7, Lara Ackerman 4
Brazil: Ferreira De Oliveira 14, Arantes Gregorio 11, Silva Imoniana 8

Canada – Puerto Rico 58-43
Canada: Crozon 18, Cooper 10, Hudyn 10 (10 reb)
Puerto Rico: Luciano Mendez 11, Crespo Santana 6, Santos 6

Standings: Brazil 2-0, Canada 1-1, Puerto Rico 1-1, Mexico 0-2