Canada Drop Pan American Games Opener to Brazil
It was a disappointing start to Canada's 2019 Pan American Games campaign, as they could find no answer for Brazil as women's basketball got underway in Lima.
They had a good start with an early eight-point lead, but the Brazilian duo of Erika De Souza and Clarissa Dos Santos soon put them on the back foot. Canada trailed at the end of the first quarter, only to tighten the screws and level the scores at half time.
It was in the third quarter where Brazil took control of the game: playing smart offence and racking up the points in the paint, they took a double-digit lead. Canada tried to save themselves in the final period, but despite the best efforts of Shaina Pellington, who had a game-high 21 points, and Ruth Hamblin, who had 16 points and 10 total rebounds, it was too little too late.
Dos Santos had 15 points and 11 rebounds for Brazil as they beat Canada 79-71 in what was both teams' first match-up of the Lima games.
In the same group (Group B), Puerto Rico were on fire from the field and made it hard for Paraguay to break down their defence. Five players scoring in double digits as they pick up their first win of the games, 91-73.
In Group A, the USA had the upper hand against Argentina, as expected. Though the South Americans kept up the pressure from close range, too many missed attempts prevented them from pulling off an upset. The USA were victorious 70-62.
Meanwhile, superb offence from Imani Tate (22 points) and an amazing performance from Natalie Day (23 points, 15 rebounds) saw the Virgin Islands lead Colombia most of the way, until a late surge from their shooters put Colombia in front down the stretch.
With the scores were then tied with just under 1:30 to go, a final three from Maria Palacio and Yanet Arias scoring the last of her 21 points saw Colombia emerge with the win, 69 points to 66.
Canada will have a chance to bounce back on the second day of competition, when they will be taking on Paraguay. Either team will be coming away with their first win in Lima, so check back for an update on that. For more information, visit the official Pan American Games website.
Picture: FIBA.com
