USA Best Dominican Republic and Move Ahead to Women's U18 AmeriCup Semifinal

21 June 2024

USA 125, Dominican Republic 27

View the USA-Dominican Republic box score here.

The United States earned a berth to the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup semifinals with a 125-27 victory over Dominican Republic at Coliseo Bicentenario in Bucaramanga, Colombia. With the win, the United States has earned a berth to the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup next summer.

Today’s game marked the second between the United States and Dominican Republic in U18 women’s tournaments. The Americans improved to 2-0 all-time.

The United States will face the winner of the Argentina-Puerto Rico quarterfinal on Saturday (time TBD).

TEAM NOTES

To Start: For the fourth game, the USA utilized the same starting lineup featuring Sienna Betts, Jasmine Davidson, Joyce Edwards, Kayleigh Heckel and Jordan Lee.

Going for a Run: For the third time in four games, the United States opened the game on a double-digit run, today scoring 14 straight before Dominican Republic got on the board with 5:42 to play in the frame. The lead ballooned to 34-4 by the end of the 1st. The U.S. went up 10-0 on Brazil to open the competition and 16-0 vs. Puerto Rico while opening with a 27-2 advantage over Mexico.

The first half – 80-10 USA – saw 11 Americans score 4+ points with Kennedy Smith (12) and Heckel (10) leading the way offensively.

For the game, 8 players scored 10+ including Leah Macy (14), Edwards (14), Arianna Roberson (13), Heckel (12), Smith (12), Davidson (11), Sarah Strong (11) and Lee (10).

Ochenta Mas: For the third consecutive game, the United States recorded an 80+ point win (previous 80-point win came in 2008), marking the first time the USA has hit that differential three times in one tournament. The USA bested Puerto Rico 102-22 on Tuesday and Mexico 143-24 on Wednesday. The 98-point win is the USA’s largest since a 119-point victory (143-24) over Bolivia in 2004.

Less Than 10 … Times 10: Dating back to the 3rd quarter of the second Group game vs. Puerto Rico (102-22 win), the USA has allowed less than 10 points in 10 consecutive quarters, outscoring the opposition 312-53 in that span.

Today, the Americans’ defense held Dominican Republic to 20.8% (11-53 FG) from the field while forcing 35 turnovers and scoring 58 points on those miscues.

PLAYER NOTES

Strong Performance: Strong logged her first double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds coupled with 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. The game is her second straight with 10 boards.

On Point: USA’s starting point guard Heckel has been a force all week. With at least 12 points in each game, including 12 today, she’s averaged 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 55.0% (22-40 FG) from the field. Her persistent defense today netted a game-best-tying 4 steals along with 3 rebounds and 1 assist.

Alivia McGill had her most complete game this afternoon, meeting or nearly matching her previous best marks with of 8 points (4-5 FG), 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals in 18 minutes.

Kennedy Center: Smith helped pace the USA’s offense in her second double-figures game of the tournament. She nearly matched her personal-best of 13 vs. Brazil in the first half with 12 points (4-7 FG, 2-3 3FG, 2-5 FT). For the game, she also totaled 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.

Jumping for Joyce: Edwards carried momentum from the previous 2 games, recording a game-high-tying 14 points (7-10 FG) to go with 3 rebounds and 1 assist.

In her last three outings, Edwards averages 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals.

Let’s Hear it for Leah: Macy 14-point, 7-rebound performance was her best of the week. she hit 5-of-9 of her shots and added 4 free throws while adding 4 assists and 1 steal.