2029 FIBA AmeriCup Pre-Qualifiers: Costa Rica Top the Group with Perfect 3–0 Record After Beating El Salvador 85–77

Costa Rica crowned a perfect tournament at the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Central American Pre-Qualifiers, defeating host nation El Salvador 85–77 in a tense but ultimately convincing final group stage clash at the Gimnasio Nacional Adolfo Pineda. The victory sealed a flawless 3–0 record for Costa Rica, confirming them as the undisputed group winners.
Unlike their earlier 98–50 demolition of Guatemala, this was a far more competitive affair. El Salvador, also unbeaten heading into the game, pushed Costa Rica hard throughout and made it a proper contest. The Salvadorans actually edged the third quarter 21–21 level and kept themselves in contention well into the second half, but the damage had already been done in the first two periods when Costa Rica outscored them 22–15 and 26–24 respectively to build a double-digit cushion. El Salvador's best run of 7–0 was ultimately no match for Costa Rica's clinical 12–0 scoring burst at a key moment in the game.
Tellingly, Costa Rica held the lead for the entire 40 minutes — not a single lead change or tie was recorded — with their biggest advantage stretching to 19 points. Daniel Shedden (193-F-1996, college: MSUB) was the standout player on the night, leading all scorers with 23 points for the victorious Ticos. For El Salvador, Marquise Mosley (170-PG-1997, college: Biola, CA, agency: Crossover Management) was magnificent in defeat, finishing with 21 points in what was a valiant effort from the home side.
Statistically it was a closely contested game, with El Salvador shooting slightly better from the field overall (42% to 40%), but Costa Rica's superior free-throw efficiency (71% to 60.9%) and their relentless early-game pressure proved decisive.
The result means Costa Rica finish as group champions with a perfect 3–0 record, while El Salvador end at 2–1. Honduras and Guatemala, both winless, concluded their campaigns at 0–2. Costa Rica's dominant showing throughout the tournament will now see them advance to the next stage of qualification on the road to the 2029 FIBA AmeriCup.