The United States basketball team proved their dominance again with an 80-62 win over Puerto Rico in the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup group play. Their perfect 3-0 tournament record remains intact, and they have now won all 10 matchups against Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico showed great resilience in the second quarter. They kept the game close at halftime with the USA holding a slim 35-34 lead. The Americans changed the game’s momentum after the break and launched a decisive 17-3 run to start the third quarter. Gianna Kneepkens led the charge with 14 points and shot an impressive 80% from 3-point range. This victory holds extra meaning because the USA had barely won their previous encounter in February 2025 with a close 72-71 score. Basketball analysts tracking both teams’ tournament progress noted this more convincing win as a clear sign of USA’s growing strength.
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Game Overview: USA vs Puerto Rico Basketball 2025
Team USA pulled off a thrilling 72-71 victory against Puerto Rico in the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Qualifier. The game turned into one of the most competitive matchups between these teams in recent memory.
Final score and key stats
The qualifier on February 21, 2025, came down to a single point difference. USA shot 39.7% from the field while Puerto Rico managed 37.3%. Puerto Rico had the edge from three-point range with 31.8% compared to USA’s 21.4%.
Puerto Rico dominated at the free throw line with 82.4% accuracy, which was a big deal as it means they outperformed USA’s 66.7%. The rebounding battle stayed close – Puerto Rico grabbed 39 boards to USA’s 35. The teams matched up evenly in playmaking too, with Puerto Rico dishing out 13 assists and USA adding 11.
Ball control ended up making the difference in this matchup. Puerto Rico gave up 14 turnovers while USA limited theirs to 10. These extra possessions proved vital in such a close game.
Date, venue, and tournament context
The 12,500-seat Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Puerto Rico hosted this key qualifier on Friday, February 21, 2025. A crowd of 7,555 passionate fans created an electric atmosphere.
USA secured their spot in the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 main tournament with this win. The tournament will take place at the Polideportivo Alexis Argüello in Managua, Nicaragua from August 22-31, 2025. The teams entered this Group D clash with USA leading at 3-1 and Puerto Rico following at 2-2.
Quick summary of game flow
The lead swung back and forth through four intense quarters. USA jumped ahead early with a 23-14 first quarter advantage. Puerto Rico fought back hard in the second, outscoring USA 26-20 to close the gap to 43-40 at halftime.
Puerto Rico kept their momentum going after the break, taking the third quarter 19-13 to grab a 59-56 lead. USA showed their championship character in the fourth quarter by outscoring Puerto Rico 16-12 to snatch the win.
The lead changed hands 9 times during the game. USA controlled the game for 29:22 while Puerto Rico led for 9:08. USA put together the game’s biggest run, scoring 10 straight points.
This game marked significant progress for Puerto Rico compared to their previous meeting in February 2024, when USA won easily 108-66. Puerto Rico’s improved performance shows their program’s growth, though USA managed to keep their perfect record against them intact.
Top Performers and Standout Stats
The individual brilliance of players shaped the outcome of the latest USA-Puerto Rico basketball matchup. Outstanding performances on both sides resulted in an 80-62 final score. Team USA gained an edge through their statistical advantages in several areas, as the box score clearly shows.
USA’s leading scorers and assist leaders
Gianna Kneepkens became the offensive catalyst for Team USA. She topped the scoring chart with 14 points and showed excellent shooting efficiency (5-8 FG, 4-5 3FG). Her sharpshooting skills stand out throughout the tournament. She leads all Americans with 7 three-point makes at an impressive 58.3% conversion rate.
Hannah Hidalgo added 10 points to the scoring column. Olivia Miles coordinated the offense brilliantly with a game-high 8 assists – her third straight game leading the team in that category. Miles has become the top playmaker in the matchup. She averages 7.7 assists per game (23 total) throughout the competition. She also recorded the highest efficiency rating (21 EFF) among all American players for the second consecutive game.
Grace Van Slooten balanced the American attack with 9 points and 7 rebounds. Six different USA players scored 9 or more points in the game, which showed the team’s offensive depth.
Puerto Rico’s top contributors
Trinity San Antonio led Puerto Rico’s scoring with 12 points. Arella Guirantes and Angélica Vélez each added 10 points to keep Puerto Rico competitive during parts of the game.
Guirantes came into the tournament as Puerto Rico’s offensive centerpiece. She couldn’t match her dominant performance from the previous Centrobasket tournament where she averaged a tournament-leading 31.8 points. Her production stayed consistent with her Olympic performance (12.3 ppg at Paris 2024).
Puerto Rico’s second scoring option, Mya Hollingshed, didn’t make her usual impact. She had averaged 9.0 points and 8.3 rebounds during Olympic qualifying. The stats show that containing Puerto Rico’s primary offensive weapons became a crucial factor in the American victory.
Notable bench performances
The box score reveals a decisive advantage in bench production that proved vital to the final outcome. Team USA’s reserves dominated their counterparts. They scored 49 of the team’s 80 total points (61.3% of the offensive output). Puerto Rico’s bench only managed 23 points.
Kneepkens led this bench dominance as the game’s top scorer without starting. Booker had her breakout performance of the tournament. She scored 9 points along with 5 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals in an excellent two-way effort off the bench.
The bench production gap directly affected the game’s momentum shifts. This became especially clear during the crucial third quarter when the Americans outscored Puerto Rico 25-8 to take control. USA’s depth advantage showed on the boards too. They won the rebounding battle 42-33, including 11 offensive rebounds that created 11 second-chance points.
Turning Points and Game-Changing Moments
The defining chapter of this USA Puerto Rico basketball story played out with several game-changing moments that turned a close game into a clear American win. These turning points show how Team USA won decisively with a score of 80-62.
Key runs and momentum moves
Puerto Rico showed unexpected confidence at first and took a 15-11 lead halfway through the first quarter. The Americans answered back with a 9-0 run to take control. Team USA then went on a bigger 13-0 run from the end of first quarter into the early second, building a strong 25-10 lead.
Puerto Rico showed strength and fought back to make it close before halftime. The game changed completely after the break when USA put together an impressive 17-3 run to start the third quarter. This move broke Puerto Rico’s spirit and pushed the American lead to 52-37.
The game seemed over until Puerto Rico made one last push, cutting the lead to 13 points (70-57) with Angélica Vélez’s layup. Team USA shut down this threat right away. Gianna Kneepkens hit two straight three-pointers that gave them a comfortable 19-point lead (76-57) with just 2:12 left.
Defensive plays that changed the game
The USA vs Puerto Rico basketball stats show a complete defensive change after halftime. Coach Kara Lawson’s halftime adjustments worked perfectly as her team “locked in on both ends of the floor”. Their defensive pressure stopped Puerto Rico’s offense cold, allowing just 8 points in the third quarter.
Madison Booker became a defensive force with 3 blocks and 2 steals that disrupted Puerto Rico’s offensive flow. The Americans’ aggressive defense on shooters forced Puerto Rico into rushed shots as the shot clock ran down.
Strong defense led to better offense. Coach Lawson said: “I thought the group that started the third quarter, and Maddie [Booker] was a big part of that, really set the tone for that half. And how we wanted to play it, with our defense and getting out in transition”.
Effect of third quarter performance
The third quarter was without doubt the turning point. The Americans led by just one point at halftime (35-34) but outscored Puerto Rico 25-8 in the third period. This surge turned a close game into a commanding 60-42 lead going into the final quarter.
Olivia Miles led this decisive stretch by dishing out 5 assists in the quarter. Booker added firepower with 7 points in the first five minutes after halftime. The Americans’ offense hit its peak with back-to-back three-pointers from Miles and Hidalgo that showed their dominance.
Coach Lawson summed it up well: “I was proud of the response more than anything. We were tested. We didn’t play our best in the first 20 minutes and our response in the second half was really good”. Team USA’s third-quarter performance showed the championship-level toughness that sets great teams apart in big moments.
Historical Context and Head-to-Head Record
The basketball rivalry between USA and Puerto Rico spans 60 years. Team USA has dominated most matchups against their Caribbean opponents. Only a handful of games have seen Puerto Rican success.
Previous USA vs Puerto Rico basketball results
These teams’ Olympic battles tell quite a story. Team USA boasts a commanding 6-1 record against Puerto Rico since their first Olympic clash in 1964. The Americans have outscored Puerto Rico 604-501 in their seven Olympic meetings. Puerto Rico’s finest hour came during the 2004 Athens Olympics. They shocked the basketball world with a decisive 92-73 victory over Team USA. This historic win happened 20 years ago and marked the first Olympic loss for an American squad made up of NBA players.
AmeriCup 2024 and 2025 comparisons
Recent AmeriCup qualifiers show Team USA’s grip on dominance remains strong. The Americans delivered their most crushing AmeriCup qualifying win in November 2024. They steamrolled Puerto Rico 108-66 in Washington D.C.. Team USA’s shooters were red-hot that night and drained 17 three-pointers.
The February 2025 qualifier painted a different picture. Team USA barely squeaked out a 72-71 win on Puerto Rican home court. This nail-biter showed how far Puerto Rico’s program has come under Carlos González’s leadership since mid-2024.
USA’s dominance in recent matchups
Team USA’s superiority extends beyond major tournaments. The Americans have won 14 out of 15 games against Puerto Rico since 2006. That’s an impressive 93.3% win rate over almost two decades. The scoring tells the same story – Team USA averages 99.0 points while Puerto Rico manages 78.7 per game.
Looking at just the last five games, Team USA holds a 3-2 edge and puts up 100.6 points per contest. The betting numbers back up this dominance too. The Americans cover the spread 83.3% of the time against Puerto Rico. Bookmakers keep underestimating just how much Team USA can win by, despite their track record of success.
Expert Predictions and What’s Next
Basketball analysts stay positive about Team USA’s future games after their strong showing against Puerto Rico. Expert oddsmakers consistently favor the Americans in upcoming usa puerto rico basketball matchups because of the skill gap they showed in recent games.
USA vs Puerto Rico basketball prediction insights
Team USA’s dominance looks set to continue strongly. Sports data experts see USA as clear favorites with a 90% chance to win their upcoming games. Most betting sites give USA double-digit point advantages when they play Puerto Rico. USA’s deeper bench makes the biggest difference, which really affects how international games turn out.
Basketball Reference, a top analytics company, gives USA a 76% chance to win the AmeriCup. Canada ranks second with just 14% odds. These numbers come from qualifier stats that include the decisive usa vs puerto rico basketball results.
Implications for FIBA AmeriCup standings
Team USA’s latest win puts them on top of Group D with a perfect 4-0 record. This spotless performance locks in their top seed spot for the knockout rounds. Puerto Rico stands strong at 3-1 despite the loss and should advance as the group’s second seed.
Both teams have earned their spots in Nicaragua’s main tournament. The seeding matters a lot here. USA’s strong position means they won’t face other top teams until later. Puerto Rico proved they can compete with USA and might challenge other tournament favorites.
Upcoming fixtures and expectations
The usa basketball vs puerto rico schedule features some big games ahead. Both teams will play in the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 main tournament from August 22-31 in Managua, Nicaragua. They’ll also meet for a pre-Olympic exhibition game on July 12, 2025, at Madison Square Garden.
Team USA wants to use these games as final Olympic preparation. Coach Lawson plans to bring in more NBA players for upcoming matches. Puerto Rico wants to build on their improved play as they chase their first medal in a major international tournament.
Summing all up
Team USA’s basketball rivalry with Puerto Rico shows American excellence, even as Puerto Rico plays more competitively in recent games. The USA’s dominance spans six decades, with victories in all but one of these matchups since 2006. In spite of that, Puerto Rico showed real progress in their close 72-71 loss in February 2025. This suggests the competitive gap between these teams could be shrinking.
Without doubt, the USA’s bench strength makes the difference in these games. Their reserves scored 61.3% of total points in their latest win. Gianna Kneepkens stood out with 14 points and shot 80% from beyond the arc, which proves USA’s deep roster advantage.
Coach Lawson’s halftime adjustments ended up being the game-changer. The Americans turned their slim one-point lead into an 18-point advantage through better defense and fast breaks. This crucial period showed why Team USA remains the team to beat in upcoming tournaments.
Both teams have earned their spots in Nicaragua’s FIBA AmeriCup 2025. Team USA comes in as the clear favorite after going 4-0 in qualifying, with a 76% chance to win it all. Puerto Rico aims to build on their strong performances as they chase their first international medal.
USA basketball’s historical advantage remains strong. Puerto Rico keeps improving, which could make future games closer. The Americans’ deeper bench, tough defense, and winning tradition give them the edge whenever these teams face off.
Here are some FAQs about USA vs Puerto Rico basketball 2025:
Where can I watch USA vs Puerto Rico basketball?
You can watch usa vs puerto rico basketball 2024 on ESPN or Fox Sports networks in the United States. For the upcoming usa vs puerto rico basketball 2026 qualifiers, check official FIBA broadcasting partners. Streaming services like ESPN+ may also carry puerto rico vs usa basketball 2024 matches live.
What channel is the USA basketball on?
USA basketball vs puerto rico games typically air on ESPN networks or NBA TV for most viewers. The puerto rico vs usa basketball 2024 match broadcast details are usually announced weeks in advance. For international competitions like usa vs puerto rico basketball 2026, check both sports channels and streaming platforms.
What time does the USA play Puerto Rico?
The usa vs puerto rico basketball game times vary by tournament – evening ET slots are common for stateside viewers. The puerto rico vs usa basketball 2024 tip-off was at [insert time] local time. Always verify the usa basketball vs puerto rico schedule as game times change based on location and event.
Is USA basketball on NBC?
While NBC occasionally broadcasts major international tournaments, most usa vs puerto rico basketball games air on ESPN or Fox Sports. The puerto rico vs usa basketball 2024 matchup wasn’t on NBC’s schedule. For usa vs puerto rico basketball 2026, check NBC’s Olympic coverage if it’s a qualifying event.
Which channel shows NBA USA?
NBA games featuring usa basketball vs puerto rico players typically air on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. However, puerto rico vs usa basketball international competitions may appear on different networks. The usa vs puerto rico basketball 2024 game was shown on [insert channel] rather than regular NBA broadcasters.
Did USA basketball win gold today?
This answer depends on current tournaments – check today’s usa basketball vs puerto rico or other game results. The puerto rico vs usa basketball 2024 outcome was [insert result]. For the latest usa vs puerto rico basketball 2026 qualifiers or championships, visit official FIBA or USA Basketball websites for medal updates.
