Dunoon's Jerome Robinson backs out of a challenge from a St. George's College opponent during their Digicel/Pepsi/ISSA Manning Cup football match at Winchester Park, St. George's College, yesterday. St. George's won 4-1. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
VALDIVIA, Chile (CMC):
They were more competitive, but Jamaica's women basketball team lost their latest match at the FIBA Americas Championship yesterday, when Cuba stopped them 76-62.
Jamaica remained winless at the bottom of Group B, as Cuba climbed to a 2-1 record and are likely to finish in second position in the group.
Simone Edwards led the scoring for the Jamaicans with 18 points and point guard Nicole Louden supported with 14.
Three Cubans players ended with double digits. Yayma Boulet led all scorers in the match with 22 points, Yakelin Plutin got 12, and Taimy Fernandez made 10.
Jamaica fell behind from early and trailed 24-11 after the first period, but they managed to outscore the Cubans in the second period and cut the lead to eight at 38-30 at halftime.
The third period was easily the most competitive of the match, as Jamaica fought to get back into the match, and Cuba sought to keep their position of strength and both scored the same number of points to leave Cuba leading 54-46.
The Jamaicans, however, faded under the weight of the early Cuban lead and a competitive fourth period to slide to their third straight defeat.
The Jamaicans had lost the opening match of the competition on Wednesday, when Canada defeated them 68-47.
Canada dominated the first quarter 18-3, but Jamaica came from behind in the second period to leave the score 37-24 at half. The next two quarters were all Canada, which in turn proved that, even though theyÕre not one of the favorite teams, they will give something to talk in the Championship. Edwards, who scored 25 points, was the gameÕs leading scorer and Kimberley Anne Smith finished the game with 17 to lead Canada.
In their first game, on the second day of the competition on Thursday, the United States, the tournament favourites, beat Jamaica 115-47. Edwards again led the Jamaicans with 18 points and Louden had 14.
