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U16 FIBA Americas: USA finishes 3-0 in preliminary play, will face Argentina in semifinals

By Daniel Benjamin

May 29, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; The American flag is displayed on the outfield during the National Anthem before the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Atlanta Braves at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; The American flag is displayed on the outfield during the National Anthem before the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Atlanta Braves at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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The U16 USWNT are in the FIBA Americas semis for the fourth consecutive time.

The U.S. women’s U16 national team’s trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, has been a smashing success so far. The Americans (3-0) will look to continue their solid play when they play Argentina (2-1) in the 2017 FIBA Americas semis tonight at 7:30 (EDT) p.m. Unbeaten, Canada (3-0) will face Columbia (2-1) in the other semifinal.

The U.S. finished preliminary play with a 79-32 victory over Puerto Rico on June 9. While the U.S. won the game handily, they will have to tighten things up a bit to avoid a repeat of 2015. The red, white, and blue shot just 30.9% (29-94) from the field and turned the ball over 27 times on Friday night.

Related Story: USA Women’s National Team: 2020 prospect Paige Bueckers sets U16 shooting record

The Americans were strong on the defensive end as they have been all tournament. The U.S. held Puerto Rico to just eight points combined in the first and fourth quarters. Their defense also forced 43 turnovers, which resulted in  45 points. The U.S. outrebounded Puerto Rico 70-38 and recorded a U.S. U16 record 25 steals.

“We got the win. It was not our best basketball, but we had some really great possessions,” said USA head coach Carla Berube. “I think in the first and the fourth quarter, we played really great defense. We missed a lot of shots, but they were good shots, nothing that was forced or out of our offense. Days are going to happen like that. I thought the energy was there. We played hard and came away with a victory.”

Aliyah Boston led the way for the U.S. with 17 points and 12 rebounds with 10 caroms coming on the offensive end. Boston tied the squad’s record for free-throw percentage, going 5-of-5 from the charity stripe.

Paige Bueckers was the only other American in double figures with 12 points. But as has been the case in the tournament, the U.S. got contributions from everyone. Zia Cook, Sam Brunelle, and Caitlin Clark tallied nine points apiece. Brunelle, Diamond Miller, as well as Francesca Belibi each hauled in eight rebounds. 10 of the 12 players also nabbed at least one steal.

The U.S. has won each of its first three games by at least 47 points as they have not surrendered more than 37 points in a single contest. They also lead the competition in scoring at 90.0 points per game.

Team USA is 4-0 all-time against Argentina in FIBA Americas play, which includes a 80-48 victory in 2015 — the smallest margin of victory in the series. However, this Argentinian team might be their best ever.

Argentina has outscored its opponents by 19.3 points a game, which includes a six-point loss to Canada (71-65). They lead the competition with a 45.1% shooting percentage and are averaging 7.3 three-pointers a game at a 38.6% clip.

The Argentinians, which average over 71 points a contest, are a well-balanced offensive team. They have five players averaging eight or more points a game. Sofia Acevedo leads the way with 16.7 points a game while Florencia Chagas is contributing 12.0 points a contest.

All four semifinalists automatically qualify for the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup.

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

The tournament concludes with the gold medal and bronze medal games on June 11.

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