By Geoff
Team USA outplayed Canada 65-53 to advance to the finals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup on Saturday at the Centro de Deportes Colectivos in Santiago, Chile.Hannah Hidalgo tallied 19 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals to lead USA to a come-from-behind win over the spirited Canadians, who were still within striking distance in the first three quarters until Kara Lawson’s squad closed the game out with a 14-5 defensive masterclass to win the game.The win moved Team USA to a gold-medal clash with Brazil, who overwhelmed Argentina 108-68 in the other semifinal clash.USA vs Canada Box ScoresQuarterscoresteamQ1Q2Q3Q4TOTALUSA1219201465Canada141915553USA#PlayersMINPTSFG2PT FG3PT FGFTOREBDREBREBASTPFTOSTLBLK+/-EFF4Flau’jae Johnson03:2800/1(0%)0/1(0%)0/0(0%)0/0(0%)01100101-305Olivia Miles18:3863/7(42.9%)3/4(75%)0/3(0%)0/0(0%)14513310-1066Hannah Hidalgo24:09198/18(44.4%)8/15(53.3%)0/3(0%)3/5(60%)2244224018177Mikayla Blakes25:18113/8(37.5%)1/5(20%)2/3(66.7%)3/4(75%)04402521978Madison Booker29:30124/12(33.3%)4/10(40%)0/2(0%)4/5(80%)13402320769Gianna Kneepkens11:4710/2(0%)0/2(0%)0/0(0%)1/1(100%)022101117310Hannah Stuelke18:1521/2(50%)1/2(50%)0/0(0%)0/0(0%)1450001115811Kennedy Smith23:5472/3(66.7%)1/2(50%)1/1(100%)2/2(100%)02211033151512Joyce Edwards20:1520/4(0%)0/4(0%)0/0(0%)2/2(100%)14500200-5113Raegan Beers12:4631/4(25%)1/4(25%)0/0(0%)1/1(100%)12310021-2714Grace Van Slooten12:0121/4(25%)1/4(25%)0/0(0%)0/0(0%)325000129715Audi CrooksDid Not PlayTeam/Coaches0220277TOTAL2006523/65(35.4%)20/53(37.7%)3/12(25%)16/20(80%)10324281019171077Canada#PlayersMINPTSFG2PT FG3PT FGFTOREBDREBREBASTPFTOSTLBLK+/-EFF2Shay Colley17:2673/9(33.3%)2/7(28.6%)1/2(50%)0/0(0%)01105410-4-13Delaney Gibb18:5692/11(18.2%)2/9(22.2%)0/2(0%)5/5(100%)13413330-454Sami Hill23:0862/8(25%)2/5(40%)0/3(0%)2/2(100%)00012410-9-27Niyah BeckerDid Not Play8Tara Wallack10:2700/4(0%)0/2(0%)0/2(0%)0/0(0%)123001001-29Yvonne Ejim21:3342/7(28.6%)2/7(28.6%)0/0(0%)0/0(0%)371012001-161110Emily PotterDid Not Play12Syla Swords32:4141/9(11.1%)1/8(12.5%)0/1(0%)2/2(100%)42641210-7513Merissah Russell14:0593/4(75%)2/3(66.7%)1/1(100%)2/2(100%)011020000914Kayla Alexander27:59105/10(50%)5/10(50%)0/0(0%)0/0(0%)581302213-132015Phillipina Kyei05:5621/2(50%)1/2(50%)0/0(0%)0/0(0%)112100014530Shayeann Day-Wilson27:4920/10(0%)0/7(0%)0/3(0%)2/2(100%)04432521-12-3Team/Coaches5490247TOTAL2005319/74(25.7%)17/60(28.3%)2/14(14.3%)13/13(100%)20335311192396USA vs Canada Game SummaryUSA came out flat from the tip, letting Canada take a 14-12 lead in the first quarter. Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo gave the Stars and Stripes a 22-14 lead after scoring seven of the team’s first 10 points in the second period.The Canadians didn’t allow their American counterparts to pull away, responding with an 11-2 surge to reclaim the lead, 25-24. The lead changed hands until Canada dropped six straight points to lead 33-31 at the half.The 5-foot-6 Hidalgo gave the lead back to Team USA, 42-39, after orchestrating a 9-2 run in the third. Canada wrested the advantage, but the two-time First Team All-American answered with six unanswered points on two baskets and an assist to Kennedy Smith, giving the American a three-point edge approaching the payoff period.Team USA still struggled with their offense in the fourth quarter, scoring only 14 points. However, their defense held the Canadians to five points to seal the win.Texas forward Madison Booker scored seven of her 12 points in the payoff period, outscoring Team Canada in the quarter.Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes added 11 points, four rebounds and two steals for the US squad, which won despite shooting 35.4% from the field. The Stars and Stripes stepped up on their defense, limiting the Canadians to 19-for-74, or 25.7%.Canada led the rebounds (53-42) and assists (11-8) departments but allowed Team USA to swipe the ball 17 times while recording nine steals of their own. The Americans had a 10-6 edge in blocks and 29-9 in fastbreak points.Kayla Alexander was the only Canadian player in double figures with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Delaney Gibb and Merissah Russell added nine points apiece.Michigan’s Syla Swords was limited to four points on 1-of-9 shooting. LSU guard Sheyann Day-Wilson contributed two points on free throws and failed to make a field goal in 10 attempts.