LIMA, Peru – With a diverse attack on Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Pan American Games Women's Team captured Group B with a 75-63 win over previously unbeaten Colombia at the 2019 Pan American Games at Colisei Eduardo Dibos.
Kansas State's
Peyton Williams recorded two points and a rebound during her time on the floor. In three games of group play, Williams averaged 4.7 points and 3.0 rebounds in just under 10 minutes of action.
The U.S. Pan American Games Women's Team (3-0) built a 47-21 lead at the half. The USA would hold a 12-point edge with 1:15 remaining in the first quarter, as UCLA's Michael Onyenwere connected on a jumper. Onyenwere finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.
After Colombia pulled within nine, Princeton's Bella Alarie would beat the first quarter buzzer with a layup to give the U.S. a 24-13 lead.
In the second quarter, the U.S. used consecutive three-pointers from Stanford Kiana Williams and Maryland's Taylor Mikesell to start a 13-0 run and construct a 39-15 lead with 5:50 remaining in the first half.
The U.S. held Colombia without a made field goal for almost the entirety of the second quarter, as Colombia's only conversion from the field came with 1:37 to play on a fast break. The U.S.A. would lead by as much as 28 in the second quarter.
In the second half, Colombia was able to make the final margin much closer, winning the final two quarters by a combined score of 42-28 (18-12 in the third; 24-16 in the fourth).
Leading three players in double figures was Miami's Beatrice Mompremier with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting. In addition to Mompremier and Onyenwere, South Carolina's Tyasha Harris finished with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. For the first time in the 2019 Pan American Games, all 12 U.S. players scored at least two points.
The USA was shot 43.9 percent (29-of-66) from the field, but were solid defensively as Colombia was held to a 32.1 percent (25-of-78) effort.
The U.S. Pan American Games Women's Team will play in the semifinals on Friday night at 9 p.m., against the second-place finisher from Group A. Friday's game will be streamed live on ESPN3.
