Puerto Rico are champions of women's basketball at the Central American and Caribbean Games, closing out a physical gold-medal game with a 57-44 win over Mexico at Arena Banreservas. Puerto Rico controlled the tempo for most of the contest, holding Mexico to single-digit and low-teens scoring in three of the four quarters, and never let the game get away from them despite a scrappy Mexican defense that limited both sides' offensive rhythm throughout.
Diann Jackson (185-F-2007) led the way for Puerto Rico with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, adding six offensive rebounds, and Arianis Rivera (180-C-2006) contributed 15 points despite a tough shooting night overall. Sofia Munoz (173-G-2007) and Adriana Robles (165-G-2007) each chipped in eight, giving Puerto Rico enough balance to weather Mexico's better stretches. Ana Zesati (184-C-2006) was the offensive engine for Mexico with 15 points, including a perfect 4-of-5 from the free-throw line, but Mexico's four-point second quarter proved costly, and they could never fully recover the separation Puerto Rico had built by the half.
The Dominican Republic claimed bronze earlier in the day, beating Panama 66-53 behind Leila Nunez (183-F-2007)'s 17 points on 5-of-11 shooting and Loanna Tolentino (195-C-2007)'s 10 points and six offensive rebounds. Nataly Santana added 11 for the Dominicans despite a difficult shooting afternoon, while Lya Gonzalez (167-PG-2007) and Sofia Ponce (183-F-2007) each scored 10 for Panama in the losing effort.
In the classification games, El Salvador beat Costa Rica 65-42 to finish fifth, with Gabriela Escobar (162-G-2007) and Daniela Escobar (167-SG-2007) both scoring 16, while Amanda Desanti (165-SG-2006) led Costa Rica with 16 points and five assists. Nicaragua closed out the tournament in seventh place with a 59-38 win over Trinidad and Tobago, getting 14 points from Beyran Gonzalez (165-SF-2008); Jameela James (198-C-2007) led Trinidad and Tobago with 15 points and seven offensive rebounds in defeat.