USA rolls through FIBA U16 AmeriCup championships, blitzing Canada, 85-59, in gold medal game; Ivanna Wilson Manyacka bags MVP honors

IRAPUATO, Mexico – The gold medal is coming back to the United States … again.

On Sunday night, the USA walloped Canada, 85-59, in the final of the FIBA U16 Women’s AmeriCup championships. Micah Ojo pumped in a game-high 18 points. Ivanna Wilson Manyacka, who was the Most Valuable Player, added a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Eve Long and Tatianna Griffin also trailed with 12 and 11 points each, respectively.

“This is my second year – I feel like last year, you know, it was my first year, so I was kind of nervous and just learning and getting into things,” Wilson Manyacka said. “But this year I had to take a new role and be a leader.”

The Americans jumped out to a 7-0 lead behind five quick points from Wilson Manyacka. Canada fought back into the game, getting the margin as narrow as three points before the United States started to pull away again. Ojo was effective in complementing Wilson Manyacka’s start in the quarter, scoring 10 points to drive the offense.

Canada did a better job of taking care of the ball than other USA opponents in the tournament, but the Americans’ defense was still able to prevail. They forced 10 turnovers from Canada in the first quarter and were able to consistently disrupt their offensive flow.

Leading 30-17  in the second quarter, the United States looked to expand their lead. Long added four points to bring her first half total to 10 and Morghan Reckley hit a 3-pointer about three minutes into the quarter to bring the lead 20.

The fourth quarter finally opened the game up a little more for the United States. After holding tight to a strong lead for more than two quarters, the Americans pushed further to a 32-point lead. Ojo scored six more points as a host of U.S. players scored to close out the victory. Canada hit a few shots late to cut back into the deficit, but ultimately the USA held on to win by 26 points and walk away champions.

“I’m happy that I was able to play with this set of girls because I wouldn’t want to do it with anybody else,” Wilson Manyacka said. “I’m just proud of everybody on the team.”

The title game box score.

— From USA Basketball Communications