Argentina achieved a significant victory in the FIBA AmeriCup Sub-18 Women’s Tournament, securing the bronze medal after defeating Brazil 73-66. Malena Maggi and Isabella Ingénito were the standout players, each scoring 16 points and leading their team to success. This marks Argentina’s seventh bronze medal in the tournament’s history and their third consecutive one.
Maggi’s three-pointer in the final 58 seconds gave Argentina a crucial lead of 70-62, ultimately securing the win. She also contributed with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Ingénito, coming off the bench, made 4 shots from behind the arc, along with 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Sol Depetris and Stephanie Smidt, also substitutes, added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The Argentine bench players outscored their Brazilian counterparts significantly, with 43 points to only 4. The team also displayed strong defense with 13 steals and 5 blocks, controlling the points off turnovers 19-14.
In another match, Puerto Rico claimed the fifth spot by defeating Colombia 57-46. Dianne Crespo led the Puerto Rican offense with 13 points and 7 rebounds, while Diann Jackson made a significant impact on both ends of the court with 10 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 steals. Adriana Robles contributed 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Mexico finished in seventh place, with Valeria Mora and Ana Zesati leading the team to an 81-55 victory over the Dominican Republic. Mora scored 18 points with 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals, while Zesati recorded a double-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block.
Overall, the FIBA AmeriCup Sub-18 Women’s Tournament showcased the talent and skills of young players from different countries, with Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Mexico demonstrating their strength on the court. The tournament provided a platform for these athletes to gain experience and compete at an international level, setting the stage for their future success in basketball.