2011 FIBA Americas Championship for Women Final day Review: Brazil clinch gold; Canada finish third
Two games took place in final round at the FIBA Americas Women's Basketball Championship on Saturday, October 1, 2011. Here is a brief review of the two games:
Brazil 74 – Argentina 33
Brazil clinched a spot in the 2012 London Olympics with an impressive 74-33 victory over Argentina. Brazilian centre, Erika de Souza, who plays for Atlanta Dream, was declared as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.
De Souza recorded a double-double in the victory, scoring a game-high 13 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. The player also dished out three assist, blocked two crucial shots and finished on 5 for 8 shooting from the field. Forward
Patricia de Oliveira posted 12 points, stole the ball for four times, and grabbed three rebounds while Damiris Dantas ended with 10 points, four boards and three steals for the Brazilians.
Carolina Sanchez from Ibaizabal led the Argentineans with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Sanchez also had two steals and pinned 6 of 8 free throws in 28 minutes of action.
Brazil shot 41.7 percent (30 for 72) from the field and 57.1 percent (12 for 21) from free throw line, limiting Argentina to only 14.5 percent (8 for 55) from the floor and 62.5 percent (15 for 24) from the line. In addition to
brilliant shooting, the Brazilians grabbed 55 rebounds as compared to only 39 by the Argentineans.
The Brazilians had complete control on their opponents until the final buzzer of the game. The Argentineans tried to put up a good showing in the last quarter of the game but the Brazilians had already put the game to bed in the
first 30 minutes on the court.
Canada 59 – Cuba 46
Canada's women's basketball team won a bronze medal at the FIBA Americas Women's Basketball Championship with a 59-46 victory over Cuba.
Forward Kimberley Smith and the point guard Teresa Gabriele led Canada with 13 points apiece. Smith also grabbed six rebounds and ended on 5 for 8 shooting from the field, including 2 for 2 from three-point range.
Clenia Noblet topped the Cubans with 12 points, five rebounds and two steals.
Canada went 19 for 36 (52.8 percent) from the field, including 15 for 29 (51.7 percent) from three-point range and 17 for 19 (89.5 percent) from free throw line. Cuba hit only 15 for 68 (22.1 percent) from the floor, including
3 for 22 (13.6 percent) and 13 for 16 (81.2 percent) from the line. However, the Canadians committed 25 turnovers as compared to only 10 by the Cuban.
The first quarter finished at 13-8, with the Canadians in front. Both teams scored 11 points apiece in the second quarter as Canada maintained its five-point lead, 24-19, at halftime.
Canada continued their balanced attack in the third period, outscoring Cuba 19-11 to push their lead to 13 points, 43-30, heading into the fourth. The Canadians maintained their double-digit lead throughout the fourth quarter and
sealed a victory for third position in the tournament.
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