USA U18 national team wins 10th straight gold medal

For more than two decades the USA women’s national team has claimed gold at the FIBA U18 Women’s Americas Championships, and the tradition will continue beyond 2022.

Cotie McMahon led all scorers with 22 points while Kiki Rice chipped in 18 to lead Team USA to an 82-77 win over Canada on Sunday in Buenos Aires, clinching the 10th consecutive gold medal for the Americans.

You heard 'em 🤣 @IsunehBrady 🤝 @SmyaKNichols

🇺🇸 #USABWU18 pic.twitter.com/SXqCzmRPMI

— USABJNT (@usabjnt) June 20, 2022

McMahon scored eight in the first quarter alone, during which Team USA outscored Canada 20-16. The Canadians faced a 10-point deficit at halftime but trimmed it to four heading into the final period after outscoring Team USA 22-16 in the third quarter.

A layup by McMahon capped a 16-5 run for Team USA and pushed the lead to 76-61 with 5:12 remaining. Canada outscored Team USA 12-2 to close the game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their 17 turnovers.

Londynn Jones added 15 points, five rebounds and five steals for Team USA, while Isuneh Brady contributed eight points and 15 rebounds. Grace Van Slooten had 11 points.

For Canada, T’yanna Todd was 4 of 8 from beyond the arc and led the way with 19 points. Mary Anna-Asare scored 15 points for Canada, while Emma Koabel and Marah Dykstra added 11 points apiece.

Team USA outscored Canada 18-8 on the fast break and had a 15-5 advantage in second chance points. The Americans finished with a 48-30 advantage in the paint.

Rice shot 10 of 13 from the charity stripe in the final and was named Most Valuable Player. She averaged 14.3 points, four rebounds and five assists per game throughout the tournament.

Rice was joined on the All-Star Five team by McMahon, Todd, Brazil’s Ana De Oliveira and Argentina’s Lara Tribouley.

What an amazing experience! Coming back home with the hardware @usabjnt #MissionGold🥇 pic.twitter.com/RLmTHiNLEC

— Joni Taylor (@CoachJoniTaylor) June 20, 2022

Full score recap:

Friday, June 17:

• United States 77, Mexico 41
• Brazil 73, Puerto Rico 53
• Canada 92, El Salvador 24
• Argentina 64, Colombia 55

Saturday, June 18:

• Colombia 58, El Salvador 37
• Mexico 72, Puerto Rico 44
• United States 84, Brazil 40
• Canada 78, Argentina 63

Sunday, June 19:

• Puerto Rico 57, El Salvador 32
• Mexico 64, Colombia 39
• Argentina 55, Brazil 50
• United States 82, Canada 77