Recap The Court

Photo by FIBA

Jacob Smith

What a difference setting the opening tone can make. In this case, for the USA, it carried them throughout and put them in a position in the fourth where they could defend their lead until the final buzzer. In a thrilling ending, USA took the 67-63 victory and advanced to the gold medal game of the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup where they will see the team who beat them in the group stage Brazil.

USA came out with a lot of aggression and ran their way through the paint. With Canada fighting on the glass, they won the second chance battle but couldn’t capitalize missing several good looks early as USA used their efficiency to maintain a single digit lead throughout most of the first half.

Where USA’s aggression came from was primarily Angel Reese and Lauren Betts, and on the side of Canada, Cassandre Prosper and Aaliyah Edwards did their best to answer. Prosper was a shining star early for Canada with her matching the physicality and forcing her way inside.

Aaliyah who finished with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, found timely offensive boards and mid-range jumpers for Canada to keep them pushing as other parts of their game slowed.

Perhaps the biggest impact for Canada was the veteran, Kayla Alexander. You couldn’t help while watching the game to notice the experience of Alexander showing itself during the biggest moments of the game.

Whether it was remaining calm as time winded down in the fourth and being the constant force Canada could go to, or her decision making to spark a run to get Canada back in the game throughout, she always was present and was the leader Canada needed in the fast paced environment of the game.

Whenever Canada got a 3-5 point run to get themselves within four or to tie the game, Betts and Reese answered. In the fourth as Canada took a four point lead, USA went back to the post and they forced Canada into foul trouble, giving them the lead back and maintaining until the final whistle where they found themselves victorious.

Canada will play Puerto Rico for bronze at 5:30pm ET on Sunday July 9 with USA and Brazil going at it for gold at 8:30pm ET.

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