POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Jarred Vanderbilt
FINAL
USA - Canada 77-60
USA celebrated the FIBA Americas Championship title. They edged Canada in the championship game in Bahia Blanca. The victory marked the third straigth title for Team USA. Jarred Vanderbilt (203-F/C-99) tallied 19 points and 10 rebounds to pace the champions. Canada got to a terrific start. They held Team USA to just 3 points in the first ten minutes to open a 16-point lead. But the USA slowly improved their performance. They dropped 46 points in the next two quarters to pill within 2 points 49:51. Team USA then followed with a stunning 28:9 run in the fourth quarter to capture the trophy. Gary Trent (191-G/F) provided 19 points, while Wendell Carter (206-C-99) added 11 points and 10 boards for the winners. Simisola Shittu (205-G/F-00) responded with 18 points and 14 rebounds for Canada. Rowan Barrett Jr. (195-G/F-99) netted 13 points in the loss.
3-4 Place
Argentina - Dominican Republic 74-59
Argentina celebrated the Bronze medals at the U16 FIBA Americas Championship. They knocked down Dominican Republic in the consolation final. Lautaro Lopez (188-G-99) and Franco Baralle (177-PG-99) stepped up with 15 points each to pace the hosts. Dominican Republic eked out a 20:18 lead after the opening quarter. Argentina cut the deficit to a single point at the interval 34:35. But the hosts picked up the defensive aggressivness in the second half. They held Dominican Republic to 24 points in the second part of the game and rallied to the win. Jonathan Basualdo and Valentin Bettiga had 14 points each for Argentina. Alanzo Frink (200-F-00) responded with 26 points and 8 rebounds for Dominican Republic.
5-6 Place
Puerto Rico - Brazil 43-62
Brazil earned the second straight victory in Bahia Blanca. They bruised Puerto Rico to earn the fifth overall position at the FIBA Americas Championship. Kayo Mafio (198-PF-99) finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. The teams traded baskets throughout the opening quarter. Brazil surged ahead in the second frame. They secured a 28:21 halftime lead. Brazil boosted the margin in the third frame. They accumulated a 15-point buffer heading into the fourth period. Brazil held their opponents to just 9 points in the final frame and sealed the win. Guilherme Braga (195-SF-99) accounted for 11 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Javier Quinonez (187-G-00) answered with 16 points for Puerto Rico.
7-8 Place
Venezuela - Mexico 80-71
Venezuela beat Mexico to finish 7th in Bahia Blanca. Luis Mora (188-G-99) stepped up with 17 points and 7 rebounds for Venezuela. Venezuela grabbed a 13:6 lead ten minutes into the encounter. Mexico cut the deficit at 2-point mark at the interval 26:28. But Venezuela unleashed 52 points in the second half and raced to the victory. Carlos Lenuz (187-G-99) delivered 16 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. Alonso Landin (187-SF-99) replied with 15 points for Mexico.
