USA Defeat Mexico, Finish With 3-0 Record Through Group Play At U18 Women's AmeriCup

19 June 2024

USA 115, Mexico 20

View the USA-Mexico box score here.

The United States finished at the top of Group B at the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup with a 115-20 victory over Mexico at Coliseo Bicentenario in Bucaramanga, Colombia.

Today’s game marked the sixth between the United States and Mexico in U18 women’s tournaments. The Americans improved to 6-0 all-time.

The United States will face the fourth seed in Group A when the competition continues Friday with the quarterfinals (time and opponent TBD).

TEAM NOTES

All in this Together: Employing the same starting line up from the previous two games – Sienna Betts, Jasmine Davidson, Joyce Edwards, Kayleigh Heckel and Jordan Lee – the USA once again ran out to a strong start and big lead. Through the game’s first 5:02, the American starters outscored Mexico 17-2 before the first timeout and substitutes of the afternoon. The United States went on to close the frame with a 33-6 advantage.

The first half – with a final tally of 63-13 USA – saw five Americans score at least 8 points including Edwards and Heckel (11 each), Davidson (9), and Lee and Arianna Roberson (8 each).

For the second consecutive game, the United States recorded an 80+ point win (previous 80-point win came in 2008). The USA bested Puerto Rico 102-22 on Tuesday. The 95-point win is the USA’s largest since a 119-point victory (143-24) over Bolivia in 2004.

As was the case Tuesday, all 12 Americans contributed on offense, led by six in double-figures. Edwards (17) scored a USA tournament-best this afternoon.

Stodgy: The USA’s defense continued to be a source of frustration for the opposition today. The USA scored 19 of their 33 first quarter points off Mexico turnovers, forcing 9 steals and 13 turnovers in 10 minutes. The trend continued in the second half as the game saw 36 turnovers from Mexico’s side, with the USA converting 45 points.

Mexico shot 13.6% (8-59 FG) from the field, meaning the USA’s opponents have made a combined 15 field goals in the last two games and scored an average of 21.0 points.

PLAYER NOTES

Jumping for Joyce: Edwards carried momentum from the day before, recording 9 points (4-7 FG, 1-2 FT) to go with 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block of 5:24 action in the first quarter. For the game, she reached a game-high 17 points (6-9 FG, 5-6 FT) along with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks in 16 minutes.

In her last two outings, Edwards averages 16.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks in 15.8 minutes.

All About Ari: Roberson had another strong game off the bench, following her 10-point, 7-rebound effort on Tuesday, she added 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks in 14:30.

Just Jazzy: Davidson recorded her best game of the tournament with personal bests of 14 points, 7 assists and 4 steals in 16 minutes. Davidson had not registered an assist entering today’s contest before dishing a game-best 7 today.

She became the first USA U18 player to shoot 100% from the field with 5+ attempts since 2004.