Recap of Day 2 in Monterrey

Shereesha Richards

Group A
Puerto Rico - Costa Rica 92:27
Puerto Rico ensured the second straight win at the start of the 2014 Centrobasket. They outgunned Costa Rica in Monterrey. Sandra Garcia (190-C-90, college: Wake Forest) posted 17 points and 11 rebounds for Puerto Rico. They secured a strong start to the game. Puerto Rico recorded a 25:14 lead ten minutes into the game. They stretched the gap in the second frame. Puerto Rico built a 41:18 halftime advantage. Puerto Rico went on a 30:4 run in the third term to clear off for good. Costa Rica were able to score just 5 points in the final stanza and surrendered at the end. Yolanda Jones (184-F-84, college: La-Lafayette) netted 15 points, while Allison Gibson (180-G) added 14 points for Puerto Rico. Ana Matamoros (190-C-95) responded with 10 points for Costa Rica. Natalia Galvez (170-G-85) had 4 points in the defeat.

Dominican Republic - Mexico 58:55
Dominican Republic opened win count at the 2014 Centrobasket tournament. They nipped Mexico for 1-1 record in Group A. Carmen Guzman (172-SG-85, agency: Merit Management Group, college: UAB) nailed 17 points to pace Dominican Republic.
Mexico and Dominican Republic exchanged baskets throughout the first period. The scoreboard read 15:15 after ten minutes. Mexico pulled in front for a 30:25 halftime advantage. The teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter. Mexico entered the final stanza up by 5 points. But Dominican Republic unleashed 22:14 run in the fourth frame to seal the winning outcome. Sugeiry Monsac (186-F/C-81) had 9 points, while Melissa Santos and Danilsa Andujar had 8 points each for Dominican Republic. Jazmin Valenzuela (187-C) answered with 15 points and 16 rebounds for Mexico. Monica Garcia chipped in 11 points in the loss.

Group B
Jamaica - El Salvador 58:36
Jamaica registered the first win at the 2014 Centrobasket. They defeated El Salvador for 1-1 record in Monterrey. Shereesha Richards (185-F-93) stepped up with 30 points to pace Jamaica.
Jamaica eked out a 15:14 lead after the opening frame. They stretched the gap in the second quarter. Jamaica accounted for a 29:22 halftime advantage. Things got even worse for El Salvador in the third term. Jamaica opened a 9-point advantage at the final break. They held El Salvador to just 3 points in the fourth quarter and sealed the winning outcome at the end. Sasha Dixon (167-G-87) netted 7 points for the winners. Monica Escobar (178-F-94) responded with 12 points for El Salvador. Hillary Martinez chipped in 7 points in the loss.

Cuba - US Virgin Islands 60:50
Cuba ensured the second consecutive victory at the start of the 2014 Centrobasket. They knocked down US Virgin Islands for 2-0 record on top of Group B. Marlenis Cepeda (193-C-85) stepped up with 17 points for the winners.
Cuba ensured a 12:10 lead after ten minutes. They boosted the gap at 3-point mark at the interval 22:19. Cuba stretched the gap in the third term. They entered the final stanza up by 9 points 42:33. Cuba outscored their opponents in the final period and sealed the winning outcome. Yamara Amargo (179-PF-85) delivered 14 points in the victory. Natalie Day (182-G/F-90, college: Portland) responded with 23 points and 14 boards for US Virgin Islands. Tanecka Carey had 8 points in the defeat.