USA are back in the final of the FIBA U19 World Championship Women

There is really not much to say about this game between USA and Canada as it was over as a contest by the end of the first period.

Nicole Larke opened the scoring with a trey for Canada. That was all Canada had to offer. The USA went on the attack with a solid fast break transition game and fired in 27 unanswered points. Canada's only other points came from the free-throw line.

Canada also lost Natalie Achonwa after seven minutes as she appeared to have hurt her hip.

The USA went into the second period leading (27-6) and continued their scoring festival with 12 more quick points to lead (39-6) with less that 14 minutes played.

The USA relaxed a little and Canada were able to find their way to the basket. However the USA went into the locker room with a comfortable advantage (50-18).

All the USA players were given a chance to play during the second half. Yet their coach Carol Owens was not happy with turnovers after the break.

It was difficult at times for the USA to remain focused with the game won so early. All the same the second half was a lively affair with the USA coming out winners (82-51).

For the USA Kelsey Bone’s 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field was the leading scorer. Nnemkadi Ogwumike added 12 points. Skylar Diggins and Samantha Prahalis scored 11 and 10 points each.

For Canada Kayla Alexander led the scoring with 12 points.Youth international box score

Spain keep it going and are in the final

Spain required 100 seconds to settle down. Then they opened the scoring with a trey by Marta Tudance.

Spain scored another 14 points as they completely dominated the first period to lead (17-0).

Argentina finally got off their mark with Nadia Flores splitting a pair of free-throws. Then Andrea Boquete scored Argentina’s first points from open play in the last minute of the quarter.

But it was Spain who had the last score through Cristina Ouvina to lead (19-3) at the end of the first period.

Boquete went on a one-lady mission for Argentina at the start of the second period with 8 points including two 3-pointers and an assist as her team went on a 12-0 run during the first five minutes of the quarter (15-19).

Tudance ended the Argentinian sequence with a trey. Both teams scored regularly for the rest of the quarter with Spain maintaining the upper hand to go into the locker room leading (31-24).

Spain stepped up the tempo after the break. With Marta Xargay taking over the scoring duties from Tudance, Spain stretched their advantage (53-36) by the end of the third quarter.

Argentina’s overtime exploits in previous matches became evident as they looked tired. They tried all they could but were unable to really threaten Spain again.

Spain went on to win (67-49) with Tudance leading the way with 17 points. Xargay and Vega Gimeno added 13 and 10 points apiece.

Boquete fired in 21 points for Argentina.