USA Take Down Venezuela 113-52 to Open FIBA U16 Women’s AmeriCup Group Play

Looking to get out to a strong start at the 2025 FIBA U16 Women’s AmeriCup, the United States made quick work of Venezuela en route to a 113-52 victory. The Americans jumped out to an 18-point lead in the first quarter and led by 21 points at half, turning Venezuela over often and converting well on the offensive end. These early runs turned into a dominant showing in the end to start off group play with a win. Ivanna Wilson Manyacka and Micah Ojo (6'0''-F-2009) scored 18 points each, leading six double-digit scorers for the United States. Morghan Reckley controlled the offense as well, racking up seven assists. After Venezuela opened the scoring to start the game, the USA went on an immediate 15-0 scoring run. Wilson Manyacka was the driving force offensively for the United States, scoring at will on her way to 15 first-quarter points. Defensively the Americans forced 14 turnovers in the first half, scoring 16 points off of them on the other end. Wilson Manyacka punctuated the hot start with a late-quarter 3-pointer, pushing the lead to 29-12 at the first break. In the second quarter Wilson Manyacka’s scoring slowed, but her teammates kept the foot on the gas. Eve Long (6'3''-F-2009) and Nation Williams (6'3''-F-2009) scored five and eight points, respectively, in the quarter, as Williams found her footing near the basket. The United States continued controlling the game in all facets, leading the turnover and rebounding battles at the half. “We were a little disjointed [in] the first half. I thought we played well, we just missed free throws, missed layups,” USA head coach Steve Gomez said. “[We] defended good enough; caused some turnovers which we want to do. We want to make the game a little bit rugged.” With the solid foundation set in the first half the Americans were able to open up their lead even more in the second. With a spread scoring effort in the third quarter, the 21 point first-half lead turned into 40 by the end of the quarter. Wilson Manyacka added on another three points, while Ojo heated up with nine points in the third quarter. “It's just such a blessing to be able to put USA on my chest,” Ojo said. “And just go out here with all of these talented girls and get a win as our first game.” The USA outscored Venezuela by 19 in the third quarter, and as they extended their lead their methods of success remained the same. They attacked the rim hard offensively while rebounding well and turning Venezuela over often on defense. By the end of the quarter Venezuela had committed 33 turnovers in comparison to the United States' 15. The fourth quarter saw much of the same for the USA. Again, the Americans were able to extend their lead, reaching a 61-point final score differential. Eight different players scored for the United States in the quarter, Ojo adding five more points to tie Wilson Manyacka with a game-high 18 points. From start to finish the Americans controlled both ends against Venezuela. Ending the game with 25 steals and 41 points off turnovers, defense was effectively turned into offense and led the USA to a dominant opening game. “[In the] second half we kept playing. We have a good deep bench, and we got a lot of kids who can play,” Gomez said. “I feel like over the course of the game we sort of settled in to how we want to play.
Courtesy of: usab.com