USA Moves to AmeriCup Semifinals with 68-49 Win over Colombia

07 July 2023

USA 68, COL 49

The USA has advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup with a 68-49 quarterfinal win over Colombia Friday afternoon in Leon, Mexico.

The U.S. will be back in action for the semifinals Saturday with the opponent and gametime TBD following the conclusion of today’s games. The USA will play the winner of this afternoon’s matchup between Canada and Argentina. The semifinals will air live on Courtside 1891 (USA games stream free to subscribers in the U.S.).

Since the event’s inception in 1989, the United States has captured four Women’s AmeriCup gold medals, including titles in 2019 and 2021.

View the USA-Colombia box score here.

TEAM NOTES

Historically Speaking: The meeting was the second between the USA and Colombia with the U.S. now owning a 2-0 advantage. The USA is 34-8 overall in the Women’s AmeriCup.

In the Beginning: For only the second time in the tournament, the USA used the same starting lineup as the game prior. As it was Wednesday vs. Cuba, the starters today were Rickea Jackson, Raven Johnson, Charisma Osborne, Laila Phelia and Angel Reese. Jackson, Osborne and Reese have started all five games, while Phelia has started twice.

Revving the Engine: The USA went wire-to-wire in today’s win. They raced out to a 9-2 lead through the 7:20 mark and never looked back. The Americans led by as many as 21 in the contest.

Lining Up: Through four games, the United States had connected on a tournament-high 75 free throws (75-114 FT, .658%), averaging 28.5 trips to the line per game. Today’s contest carried the theme. After hitting 13-of-15 (.867%) tries in the first half, the U.S. finished with 23 attempts for the game (16-23 FG, .696%).

Shot Chart: The USA shot 37.5% (24-64 FG, 4-11 3FG) from the field, while holding Colombia to 25.0% (18-72 FG, 3-16 3FG). For the second-straight game, the United States held the opposition to 25% or less after Cuba was 24.3% (17-70 FG, 1-6 3FG) on Wednesday.

PLAYER NOTES

Bonkers on the Boards: Lauren Betts and Reese continued to make vital contributions on both sides of the ball and made or closed in on USA rebounding history.

Including today, Betts and Reese have recorded 61 and 59 rebounds, respectively. Betts surpassed the USA competition mark set by Venus Lacey in 1989 (60 rebounds). With 18 rebounds today, Reese fell one short of tying Aliyah Boston’s single-game record of 19 vs. Puerto Rico in 2021.

Betts fell two rebounds short of a first half double-double, contributing 12 points (4-4 FG, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds and two blocks before halftime. She went on to record her fourth consecutive double-double with a game-high 16 points, 14 rebounds and a USA single-game record four blocks (previously 3 blocks by Betts, twice, and Boston, once).

Reese took an impressive stat line to the halftime locker room with six points, eight rebounds, one assist and one block. She recorded her second double-double with 13 points (5-14 FG, 3-3 FT), a team-high 18 rebounds (11 DR), two assists and one block. Today’s was her third 14+ rebound game of the AmeriCup (15 vs. ARG, 7/2/23; 14 vs. CUB, 7/5/23).

Going Steady: As she has throughout the tournament, Jackson helped the USA go on offense. Recording nine points in the first half, she connected on seven of her nine attempts from the free throw line. She finished with 15 points (4-9 FG, 7-8 FT). She’s scored in double-figures in each outing and is averaging a team-best 13.8 points in the competition.

Jackson is making her living at the free throw line, averaging six attempts per contest. In five games, she’s shooting 83.3% (25-30 FT) from the line, the third-highest percentage of any player in the tournament thus far.