Canada surged in the second half of the match and beat Puerto Rico 84-47 to add their second win in consecutive nights and become the only undefeated team in FIBA AmeriCup 2023 Group B.
After a first half in which both attacks were erratic and neither made a bigger difference (34-28 was the score in Canada’s favor at halftime), the Canadians scored 50 of their 84 points in the final two periods and, executing intense defense, they managed to clear a wide margin that guaranteed them victory long before the clock struck 40 minutes.
Aaliyah Edwards was the game’s top scorer with 14 goals, she also added 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block, but the most valuable was captain Kayla Alexander, who scored her second double-double in consecutive nights (12 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists).
For Puerto Rico, who paid dearly for their poor ball possession (24 turnovers) and the expulsions of two of their key players -Jazmon Gwathmey in the first quarter and Pamela Rosado with 7:14 to play- stood out Mya Hollingshed ( 10 points and 8 rebounds) and Jennifer O’Neill (10 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds).
Canada (2-0) will look to maintain their unbeaten record and virtual qualification this Tuesday against Colombia. Puerto Rico (2-1) will face Mexico at the end of the day.
“Internet fanatic. Web ninja. Social media trailblazer. Devoted thinker. Friend of animals everywhere.”
