By R.L. Bynum
Carolina senior guard Deja Kelly and her USA teammates went from an easy victory in their Women’s AmeriCup opener Saturday to a battle Sunday.
One day after trouncing Venezuela by 24 points, the Americans trailed in the third quarter but pulled away late for a 65–56 victory over Argentina at Domo de la Feria in León, Mexico, for their 19th consecutive AmeriCup victory. While it was the USA’s second game in as many days, it was Argentina’s tournament opener.
Kelly started for the second consecutive game, playing more than 22 minutes with six points, four rebounds and a block.
United States coach Kamie Ethridge attributed her team’s struggles to Argentina’s different style.
“We have college-aged kids, and I think one or two of our players have been on international trips before, so it is a kind of a punch-in-the-face experience for our players to try to chase down quality, experienced players that know how to play basketball, pass and catch and cut and create opportunities for someone on the court,” said Ethridge, who is Washington State’s coach.
Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson led the way with 17 points and five rebounds, while UCLA’s Lauren Betts came off the bench and was a force inside with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Former Wake Forest star Jewel Spear, who will play with Jackson on the Lady Vols, hit a huge 3-pointer with 59 seconds left to push the USA’s lead to nine after Argentina pulled within four with 1:32 remaining.
While every American player is 22 or younger, two players in their 30s led Argentina.
Forward Andrea Boquete, 32, led Argentina with 16 points, while point guard Melissa Gretter, 30, nearly had a triple-double with 11 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
“This team has only been together for about two weeks before coming here, and these other teams have been together for years, so we’re just trying to come together and build that chemistry on such short notice,” Jackson said. “It just means a lot to come out with the win.”
The USA (2–0) gets Monday off before its toughest challenge of pool play against Brazil (2–0), the No. 13-ranked team in the world, at 4:40 p.m. Tuesday. Brazil, which beat Cuba 92–53 Saturday and Venezuela 90–76 on Sunday, faces Argentina on Monday.
Argentina stormed to a 7–5 early lead after the USA scored the first five points, and the Americans led 19–18 after one quarter. The Americans built a lead with a 7–0 second-quarter run but only led 33–29 at halftime.
“Argentina was really physical,” Spear said. “They got into us, to the guards and the posts. They were double-teaming and triple-teaming our posts because we know that’s where our advantage is. But I thought once we started feeding the post, it opened up the perimeter. We want to establish a paint presence, everything else will take care of itself. So honestly, I’ve got to give credit to my coaches and the players for even catching the ball and then just looking out [to the perimeter].”
While the Americans missed their first eight second-half shots, Argentina went on a 9–0 run to lead 38–33. A pair of Spear 3-pointers sparked a 12–0 run and the USA took a 49–40 lead into the final quarter.
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Projected roster if all players with eligibility other than Elina Aarnisalo, Lanie Grant,, Taliyah Henderson and Liza Ashtakhova and Liza Ashtakhova return, with years listed for next season (UNC is one below the 15-player limit)
| Year | No./ Stars | Players | Pos. | Height | |
| Freshman | 5 star | Kate Harpring | PG | 5–10 | |
| Freshman | 52/4 star | Noelle Bofia | F | 6–4 | |
| Sophomore | 3 | Gabby White — W | G | 5–10 | |
| Sophomore | 7 | Nyla Brooks | W | 6–1 | |
| Sophomore | 26 | Taissa Queiroz | G | 6–1 | |
| Junior | 34 | Blanca Thomas | C | 6–5 | |
| Junior | 1 | Jordan Zubich | G | 5–11 | |
| RS junior | 21 | Ciera Toomey | F | 6–4 | |
| RS junior | 4 | Laila Hull | W | 6–1 | |
| Senior | Sophie Burrows — X | G | 6–2 | ||
| Senior | 11 | Achol Akot — Y | F | 6–1 | |
| Senior | 10 | Reniya Kelly | G | 5–7 | |
| Senior | 15 | Sydney Barker | G | 5–6 | |
| Graduate | 13 | Chloe Clardy — Z | G | 5–9 |
W — Virginia transfer; X — Syracuse transfer; Y — Oklahoma State transfer; Z — Stanford transfer
Former players who entered transfer portal
| Player | Class next season | Pos. | Hgt | Next school |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elina Aarnisalo | Junior | G | 5–10 | UCLA |
| Lanie Grant | Junior | G | 5–9 | TCU |
| Taliyah Henderson | Sophomore | W | 6–1 | Clemson |
| Liza Astakhova | Sophomore | G | 6–2 | BYU |
Photos courtesy of FIBA
