South Carolina women's basketball: Gamecocks win gold and silver at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup

Joyce Edwards and Team USA beat Kamilla Cardoso and Brazil 92-84 to win gold at the 2025 Women’s AmeriCup in Santiago, Chile.

The two countries also met in the 2023 AmeriCup championship game. Cardoso led Brazil to the win over Raven Johnson and the Americans, but this year the result was reversed.

Edwards, Team USA’s captain, finished with 11 points and seven rebounds, but she played her best in the fourth quarter. Trailing 66-65 entering the final frame, Edwards had seven points, a rebound, a steal, and an assist to spark the win. 

Despite that production, Edwards’ biggest impact may have come in the opening minutes of the game. She drew a foul on Cardoso, making both free throws. And then Edwards chased down a loose ball and started a scramble possession that drew Cardoso’s second foul just 2:31 into the game.

Cardoso had to sit and ended up playing just 18 minutes due to foul trouble. The 2023 AmeriCup MVP was unstoppable when she was on the court, scoring 19 points, and if Cardoso had been able to play her regular minutes, Brazil most likely would have won.

Damiris Dantas played all 40 minutes and scored 35 points. She also had eight rebounds and four assists. 

Edwards was frequently matched up with Dantas, and through three quarters, the 10-year WNBA veteran had her way. But in the fourth quarter, Edwards gave up just four points to Dantas.

Edwards started all seven games for Team USA. She averaged 9.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 19.2 minutes. 

Cardoso also started all seven games. She averaged 14.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.0 blocks in 24.2 minutes. Cardoso led all players in rebounds and blocks.

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Ayla McDowell played sparingly for Brazil, appearing in four games. She averaged 2.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in 10.0 minutes.

With the win, Team USA qualifies for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. Brazil will have to qualify through one of the qualifying tournaments.

Team USA captured its fifth AmeriCup gold medal. Brazil has the most with six, and also has five silver medals and four bronze. Canada is second to Brazil in total medals and captured its ninth bronze in a double-overtime thriller on Sunday.

Edwards also won gold at the 2024 U18 AmeriCup and 2023 U19 World Cup. Cardoso has now won gold (2023), silver (2025), and bronze (2021) at the AmeriCup.

The All-Star Five was Canada’s Syla Swords, who scored the game-winning basket in the bronze medal game, Hannah Hidalgo, Damiris Dantas, Kamilla Cardoso, and Mikayla Blakes. Blakes, who scored 27 points in the gold medal game, was the tournament MVP.

Edwards’ game stats:
vs Chile (108-47 win): 14 minutes*, 19 points, 6 rebounds, assist, steal
vs Colombia (80-43 win): 22 minutes*, 13 points, 9 rebounds, assist, steal, block
vs Puerto Rico (80-62 win): 20 minutes*, 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals
vs Mexico (104-48 win): 23 minutes*, 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, steal
vs Dominican Republic (110-44 win): 15 minutes*, 2 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, assist, steal
vs Canada (65-53 win): 20 minutes*, 2 points, 5 rebounds
vs Brazil (92-84 win): 20 minutes*, 11 points, 7 rebounds, assist, steal

Cardoso’s game stats:
vs Argentina (71-50 win): 34 minutes*, 8 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks
vs Canada (74-65 win): 37 minutes*, 19 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 steals, 2 assists
vs Dominican Republic (73-46 win): 12 minutes*, 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, assist
vs El Salvador (106-49 win): 23 minutes*, 14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
vs Mexico (84-61 win): 29 minutes*, 22 points, 20 rebounds, 2 blocks
vs Argentina (108-68 win): 16 minutes*, 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, steal
vs United States (92-84 loss): 18 minutes*, 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, steal, block

McDowell’s game stats:
vs Argentina (71-50 win): DNP-CD
vs Canada (74-65 win): DNP-CD
vs Dominican Republic (73-46 win): 18 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals
vs El Salvador (106-49 win): 12 minutes, 7 points, 3 rebounds, assist, steal
vs Mexico (84-61 win): 2 minutes, no stats
vs Argentina (108-68 win): 8 minutes, rebound
vs United States (92-84 loss): DNP-CD

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