Team USA Dominates Chile in FIBA Women’s AmeriCup Opener Behind Star Performances from Raegan Beers, Joyce Edwards & Hannah Hidalgo
The United States Women’s National Team opened their 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup campaign with a thunderous statement on Saturday night, crushing host nation Chile 108–47 in Santiago. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, the young American squad showcased its depth, athleticism, and elite talent — led by standout performances from some of college basketball’s brightest rising stars.
🔥 Raegan Beers Sets the Tone
Oregon State star Raegan Beers was nearly unstoppable in the paint, racking up a game-high 22 points and 7 rebounds on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting from the field. Her dominant interior presence set the tone early for Team USA, which quickly built a double-digit lead in the first quarter and never looked back.
⭐ Joyce Edwards Shines in AmeriCup Debut
Fresh off a stellar freshman season at South Carolina, Joyce Edwards showed why she’s one of the most highly touted young players in the country. Edwards poured in 19 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and shot 7-of-12 from the floor, flashing her trademark versatility and energy on both ends. The Gamecock standout’s poise and power added a strong two-way presence for the Americans.
🎯 Blakes, Hidalgo & Kneepkens Deliver Key Contributions
Joining the scoring onslaught were:
- Mikayla Blakes, who dropped 15 points, dished out 2 assists, and hit 6-of-8 from the field in a sharp shooting performance.
- Notre Dame’s dynamic guard Hannah Hidalgo made her mark with 14 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals, playing her usual aggressive brand of two-way basketball.
- Utah’s Gianna Kneepkens contributed 12 points and hit 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, helping stretch the floor and open up lanes for her teammates.
🇺🇸 A Statement Win for Team USA
This opening win not only set the tone for the rest of the tournament, but also reasserted Team USA’s dominance in the Americas region. The Americans held Chile to under 50 points while scoring over 100 themselves — an early reminder of their medal aspirations and firepower.
Head coach Cori Close couldn’t have asked for a more complete performance from her squad, which moves to 1–0 in Group B play.
⏭️ What’s Next
Team USA is scheduled to face Colombia next on Sunday, June 29, at 8:10 PM ET. With momentum squarely in their favor, the Americans look poised to continue their unbeaten run through group play.
📸: Photo and updates courtesy of @usabasketball
Stay tuned for more highlights from the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup as Team USA continues its quest for gold — and rising stars like Edwards, Hidalgo, and Beers continue to make their names known on the global stage.
