Team USA cruised to the AmeriCup Final after beating Team Canada 65-53 in the semifinal. Hannah Hidalgo led the win from the front, scoring a team-high 19 points on 8-of-18 shooting (44.4%), including 0-of-3 from the 3-point line. She also had four rebounds, four assists and four steals with a team-high +-/ of 18.
After the game, Flau’jae Johnson, who had one rebound and one block in 3:28 minutes of action, reshared a story from USA Basketball with a four-word praise for Hidalgo.
“Real Dog right here, she wrote.
Canada was actually leading the game by two points after two quarters. However, Hidalgo sparked a pivotal run that shifted momentum in the third quarter. Moreover, she was clutch with her defense in the fourth quarter, securing four steals alone.
Hannah Hidalgo & Team USA locked in to face Brazil in FIBA AmeriCup Final
Thanks to efforts from Hannah Hidalgo & Co., Team USA has returned to the final of FIBA AmeriCup and they will face defending champions Brazil once again.
After the semifinal win against Canada, Hannah Hidalgo is “locked” in to get the gold medal.
“We’re excited, we’re all going to come locked in… We were really locked in today, so I’m excited for what comes tomorrow,” Hidalgo said.
Team USA’s Gianna Kneepkens, who is leading the fan poll for the tournament’s MVP over Brazil’s Kamilla Cordoso, is only focused on winning the gold medal for the team.
“All it’s about is just making sure we take care of business tomorrow. I don’t really care about any awards as long as we win gold, that’s going to make me happy,” Kneepkens said. “I’m just ready to compete for tomorrow, and we’ll be ready!”
The final on July 6 will be a rematch as Team USA will look to avenge the loss in the final of the last tournament. Both squads have stormed through this year’s tournament with perfect 6‑0 records.
Team USA, under coach Kara Lawson, believes in trademark pace-and-space offense, while Brazil relies on dominant bigs such as Kamilla Cardoso and Damiris Dantas.
For the USA, Hidalgo, along with Mikayla Blake, will be key in turning defense into fast-break opportunities. On the other hand, Cardosa and Dantas have dominated this tournament, with the former averaging 14.2 points and 10 rebounds while the latter averages 19.2 points.
The game will take place at Centro de Deportes Colectivos, Santiago, with tip-off scheduled at 8:10 p.m. EST (5:10 p.m. PT).
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
