The United States completed an unbeaten march to the FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup crown, overpowering Canada 90-72 in the final to underline their status as the dominant force of the tournament.
Canada actually drew first blood, racing to a 15-9 first-quarter lead, but that was as good as it got. The USA answered with a 10-0 burst, capped by a Ryan Carter three, to surge in front and never trailed again. GG Banks fueled the decisive swing, and from there the Americans' depth and defensive pressure took over, the lead ballooning to 18 by late in the second quarter.
Kaleena Smith (168-PG-2008, college: USA NT U16) led the champions with 26 points, four three-pointers and seven assists, while Jordyn Palmer (185-F-2008, college: USA NT U16) was immense with a 24-point, 13-rebound, five-steal double-double. Banks filled the sheet with 14 points and nine assists. Brooke McLeod (184-F-2008) top-scored for Canada with 15 points, six rebounds and four blocks, but the silver medalists could not stem the American tide.
Argentina rebounded from their semifinal heartbreak to claim bronze in style, dismantling Venezuela 73-49. Renata Scordo was magnificent with a 20-point, 18-rebound double-double, sparking an early 10-0 run that set the tone, with Sofia Gonzalez (162-G-2008, college: Tufts) (16 points, four steals) and Sofia Lombardero (180-G-2008) (14) in strong support. Astrid Inojosa (174-G-2008) led Venezuela with 15 in a losing cause.
In the classification game for seventh, Puerto Rico edged the Dominican Republic 56-55 in a 14-lead-change thriller. After the Dominicans led late, Andrea Alamo (183-SG-2008)'s three free throws tied it and Mia Huckaby (170-SG-2009) the Crunch Time MVP with 15 points off the bench drilled the go-ahead three. Nathaly Santana's three-point play pulled the Dominican Republic within one, but neither side scored again. Santana finished with a game-high 21 points and 14 rebounds.