USA U16 Women Go for Gold

CANCUN, Mexico – The USA Women’s U16 National Team continued it torrid pace Saturday.

The Americans took control of its semifinal contest against host Mexico (2-2) in the first quarter and never looked back, sailing in for a 101-29 win on Saturday night at Polifórum Benito Juárez, advancing to the gold medal game of the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.

The USA will meet Canada (4-0) Sunday in the gold medal game at 5:30 p.m. (CDT). Canada earned its berth with a 64-36 win over Brazil (2-2). Brazil will play Mexico for the bronze medal at 3 p.m. (CDT).

All games are being streamed live online at  FIBAAmericas.com.

Three players finished with 16 points for the USA, including Lauren Cox of Flower Mound (Texas), who added eight rebounds; Arike Ogunbowale of Divine Savior Holy Angels (Milwaukee), who collected four steals; and Katie Lou Samuelson of Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.).

Also reaching double-digits were Kalani Brown of Salmen (Slidell, La.), who added 13 points and eight rebounds; and Asia Durr of St. Pius X (Atlanta) with 11 points and four steals.

After trailing 5-4 in the first 1:30 of the game, the USA launched a 25-0 run to all but secure the game’s outcome.

“The start was a little hectic, and we broke down defensively a few times. Mexico is a solid team, and they are going to take advantage of our missteps, and I think that got our attention,” said USA head coach Sue Phillips from Archbishop Mitty (San jose, Calif.). “We turned things around when we decided to defend and really pressure the basketball and turn them over. That created some transition opportunities.”