POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Sonia Vasquez
Group A
Costa Rica - El Salvador 73-68
Costa Rica earned a narrow victory over El Salvador at the start of the COCABA championship. Ana Matamoros scored 22 points and grabbed 21 rebounds to lead the hosts. Costa Rica recorded a 39:35 halftime lead. El Salvador narrowe the gap at just three points at the final break. But Costa Rica held El Salvador to just 13 points in the fourth quarter and raced to the win. Maria Alvarado (172-G-85) and Silvia Betancourt (170-SG) had 12 points each for the winners. Vanessa Aguilar (173-G) responded with 21 points and 7 rebounds for El Salvador.
Group B
Guatemala - Panama 85-74
Guatemala got to the winning start of their COCABA Championship campaign. They held off Panama for 1-0 record. Sonia Vasquez (84) stepped up with 33 points and 13 rebounds to pace the winners. Guatemala recorded a 43:35 halftime lead. Panama got within 6 points at the final break. But Guatemala sank 21 points in the fourth quarter and got away with the win. Zaby Aldana netted 11 points for the winners. Anneth Him-Lazarenko (178-F) responded with 19 points and 10 rebounds for Panama.
Nicaragua - Mexico 39-87
Mexico outgunned Nicaragua in the opener in Group B. Karen Ruiz nailed 19 points to lead the charge. Mexico registered a 38:18 halftime advantage. Mexico went on a 30:12 run in the third term to clear off for good. Brisa Silva (170-G-84, college: Oklahoma St.) netted 11 points and handed out 7 assists for Mexico. Illiana Guerrero (87) responded with 11 points for Nicaragua.
