Busting Brackets
Fansided

FIBA Americas U16 Championship: USA coasts past Columbia 91-33 in opening game

By Daniel Benjamin

Mar 26, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; A view of an official Wilson basketball as it goes through the net in the finals of the Lexington Regional of the women's 2017 NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Stanford won 76-75. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; A view of an official Wilson basketball as it goes through the net in the finals of the Lexington Regional of the women's 2017 NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Stanford won 76-75. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The USA U16 women’s national team opened up the FIBA Americas championship in great fashion with a 91-33 victory over Columbia.

The USA U16 women’s national team got contributions from all 12 of its players in its victory over Columbia in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday afternoon. The red, white, and blue dominated the play from the opening tip, which they scored off of.

“I thought it was a great game, a great team win,” said USA head coach Carla Berube. “All 12 players got some valuable minutes. Eleven out of the 12 played in their first international competition. It is great to come away with a team win against a tough, Colombia team.”

Aliyah Boston led five Americans in double figures with 17 points along with nine boards.  2019 prospect Sam Brunelle dazzled with a fantastic all-around performance. Brunelle had 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.

Caitlin Clark added 11 points while Paige Bueckers and Kylee Watson contributed 10 points apiece off the bench. In fact, the U.S. got 44 of its points from their reserves. The Americans (1-0) also out-rebounded Columbia (0-1) 64-36 and forced 25 turnovers.

The U.S. will play Mexico at 3 p.m. (ET) on June 8. Mexico (1-0) defeated Puerto Rico (0-1) 76-49 in the other Group B contest.  The Americans are 3-0 all-time against Mexico in FIBA America’s play with each victory being by at least 44 points. The U.S.-Mexico game can be seen here.

Next: North Carolina Basketball: Who is the Tar Heels’ best NBA Draft prospect?

In Group A, Canada (1-0) was able to cruise by Venezuela (0-1) 89-36. Argentina dominated the Dominican Republic 77-42.

Home/NCAA Basketball News