Team USA caps off an undefeated AmeriCup Tournament with a gold medal

The USA held off Brazil in the gold medal match to stay perfect
Mar 30, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Kara Lawson works with her team during the first half of an Elite 8 NCAA Tournament basketball game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Mar 30, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Kara Lawson works with her team during the first half of an Elite 8 NCAA Tournament basketball game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images | Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Team USA was undefeated, 6-0, from group play through the semifinals of the 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup. The USA have dominated most of their opponents, with Canada giving them the most trouble in the semifinal game.

In their last game, the USA employed solid defense and a late surge to pull ahead of Canada and ultimately secure the win in a hard-fought contest.

Canada led most of the first half, excluding a brief second quarter lead by the USA, and took a slim 33-31 lead into halftime.

Team USA came out strong to start the second half and gained a 13-point lead before Canada cut the lead to eight.

A late fourth-quarter surge gave the USA a 12-point lead, and they would hold on to take a 65-53 victory, setting up a matchup with Brazil in the gold medal game.

Brazil was on a hot streak and entered the gold medal matchup undefeated at 6-0. Team USA needed one more solid performance to beat the 2023 Champions and retake the gold medal.

The USA came out strong but only held a three-point lead (25-22) heading into the second quarter. Brazil started feeding Kamilla Cardoso to cut into and eventually take over the lead. After Cardoso was subbed out of the game, the USA went on a run.

Team USA would only hold a three-point lead for under 30 seconds as Dimiris Dantas scored 10 points in the quarter and gave Brazil a two-point lead (47-45) heading into halftime.

The USA ramped up their defensive efforts in the second half, making everyone but Dantas beat them. Brazil ran out of gas down the final stretch, and Team USA was able to secure a 92-84 victory.

Team USA put up a solid second half performance in the second half, and used their depth to its advantage.

The USA bench outscored Brazil's 35-1 and proved to be an important factor in the victory.

Mikayla Blakes led Team USA in scoring with 27 points and also added six rebounds. Hannah Hidalgo added 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists, and Joyce Edwards had 11 points and seven rebounds.

Iowa Women's Basketball forward Hannah Stuelke added seven points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes.

With the victory, the USA secured their fifth gold medal, and sits one behind Brazil for the most in AmeriCup history.

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