Salpointe senior Taliyah Henderson’s first experience with international basketball is complete with Canada coming up short to the USA 80-69 on Sunday night in the championship of the FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup at the Coliseo Bicentenario in Bucaramanga, Colombia.
Henderson finished with nine points, five rebounds and a steal in the game.
In Canada’s six games in Colombia, Henderson, a 6-foot-1 forward, started all of them and averaged 9.5 points and 6.3 rebounds.
Both teams entered Sunday’s game 5-0 in the AmeriCup with mostly blowout wins.
The USA’s average margin of victory was 79.2 points while Canada’s was 42.8.
Canada takes home a silver medal
For the seventh time in their last ten appearances, Canada's U18 Women's National Team wins silver at the @americupw #U18Women pic.twitter.com/OIl8Jsk7ml
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) June 24, 2024
Canada reduced a nine-point deficit against the USA in the second quarter, when Henderson had four points and two rebounds.
The USA led 39-36 at halftime following a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Joyce Edwards.
In one sequence in the third quarter, Henderson had the ball stripped from her going to the basket, she ran downcourt and stole the ball back, dribbled the length of the court and went up for a shot that got blocked.
A key stretch happened late in the third quarter when three straight turnovers by Canada resulted in layups for Kennedy Smith and the USA led 58-47 with less than 2 minutes left in the quarter.
Canada cut the lead to 60-57 before the USA went on an 11-2 run with 4:28 left.
Henderson re-entered the game at that time and quickly knocked down a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 61-54 with 3:58 left.
On Canada’s next possession, Henderson executed a strong move to the basket and made the shot while being fouled. She missed the free throw and Canada trailed 73-66 with 3:35 remaining.
USA held firm the rest of the way.
Smith led the Americans with 18 points and Edwards finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Sienna Betts had 15 points and nine rebounds.
Canada was led by Jasmine Bascoe’s 18 points and five assists. Olivia Leung had 16 points and Nyadieng Yiech finished with 13.
A key stat was USA getting 27 points off Canada’s 20 turnovers while Canada mustered only 10 points following the USA’s 19 turnovers.
By advancing to at least the semifinals of the AmeriCup, the teams qualified for the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup next year in the Czech Republic.
Henderson interrupted her participation with the Jason Kidd Select AAU team to play with Canada last week. She will continue to play with Kidd’s AAU team this summer.
She is rated No. 21 in the nation among Class of 2025 prospects by ESPN. Arizona is one of many Power 5 programs that have offered her a scholarship.
Henderson’s stats in the AmeriCup:
| Date | Opponent | MP | FG | 3FG | FT | Reb | Ast | Pts |
| 6/17 | Argentina | 20 | 0-2 | 0-1 | 2-2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 6/18 | Colombia | 18 | 1-6 | 0-2 | 6-6 | 10 | 2 | 8 |
| 6/19 | Dominican Republic | 21 | 6-10 | 2-3 | 2-5 | 6 | 3 | 16 |
| 6/21 | Mexico | 31 | 4-10 | 1-4 | 8-10 | 9 | 0 | 17 |
| 6/22 | Brazil | 24 | 1-9 | 0-2 | 3-4 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| 6/23 | USA | 28 | 3-11 | 1-4 | 2-3 | 5 | 0 | 9 |
| TOTAL | 142 | 15-48 | 4-16 | 23-30 | 38 | 7 | 57 | |
| AVG/PCT | 23.7 | 31.3 | 25.0 | 76.7 | 6.3 | 1.2 | 9.5 |
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