2011 FIBA Americas C’Ship for Women - Semifinal Review: Argentina edge out Canada; Brazil beat Cuba
On Friday, September 30, 2011, the semifinals of the 2011 FIBA Americas Women's Basketball Championship took place. Here is a brief review of the two games:
Argentina 61 – Canada 59
In the first semi-final, Argentina punctuated five unanswered points in the last 11 seconds to squeak out a 61-59 win over Canada. Paula Reggiardo scored a game-high 18 points, grabbed three rounds and had three steals while Carolina Sanchez registered a double-double, posting 13 points and grabbing a game best 10 rebounds for Argentina.
Chelsea Aubry led the Canadians with 14 points on a 6 for 9 shooting from the floor. She also pulled down five rebounds while Lizanne Murphy finished with 11 points and seven rebounds in the defeat. Argentina went 24 for 59 (40.7 percent) from the field and held Canada to only 38.3 per cent (23 for 60).
Gonzalez scored seven points in the first quarter as Argentina carried a 13-point lead, 23-10, into the second. Canada however fought back in the second and limited Argentineans to 13 points, making it an eight-point contest, 36-28, at halftime.
In the third quarter, Canada continued to play with the same spirit and choked Argentina 12-7, trimming their deficit to three.
The Canadians continued to torment the Argentinean defense in the last frame and went ahead by 59-56 with 49 seconds remaining. Sanchez responded for Argentina and hit a shot from downtown to tie the game at 59. With five seconds remaining, Marina Cava stole the ball and then scored a lay-up to make it 61-59. Canada still has chance to win, but Thorburn missed a three right at the buzzer.
Brazil 66 – Cuba 53
In the second semi-final of the tournament, Brazil cruised to a 66-53 victory over Cuba.
Centre Erika De Souza Machado headed all scorers with 20 points, shooting 10 for 13 from the field, and grabbed six rebounds. Damiris Dantas had 11 points and six rebounds while guard Adriana Pinto ended with 13 rebounds and 12 assists in the victory.
Yamara Amargo led the Cubans with 16 points and four rebounds. The player went 7 for 13 shooting from the field. The Brazilians hit 28 for 65 (43.1 percent) from the field while Cuba finished with 20 for 60 (33.3 percent). Brazil also pulled down 47 rebounds as compared to Cuba’s 30.
Brazil limited the Cubans to 26 points in the first half and held a 38-26 lead at intermission. Cuba tried to bounce back after the break and managed to come with 11 by the time, the third quarter ended 52-41. The Brazilians however maintained their double-digit lead throughout the final period and booked their place in the finals, where they will meet arch rivals Argentina. The Cubans on the other hand will take on the Canadians for the third position of the tournament.
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