M?RIDA, Mexico – Representing Team USA at the 2022 FISU Americas Games, the University of Providence fell to Mexico 78-62 in the gold medal game and will come home with silver.
The Argos were led by Alicia Oatis who scored a career-high 19 points with 10 rebounds. Reed Hazard scored 11, McKenna Reggear added 10 points, nine rebounds. Providence made 21 of 33 free throws in the game. Turnovers plagued the Argos all tournament long with the team turning it over 18 times Tuesday. Brooklyn Harn had eight rebounds with four steals.
"I was really proud of our kids and how they came out and executed," Head Coach Bill Himmelberg said. We tried to do some things and not everything went our way today, but Mexico made a few more stops and I am proud of our kids and how we represented."
The Argos played tough coming up short against Mexico which shot 61% from the field while holding Providence to just 37%, including a 1-11 performance from the three-point line. Adriana Salinas Gonzalez led Mexico with 18 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Mayra Gil Ramirez chipped in with 17 points and two others also scored in double figures. Team Mexico was just 16-28 from the free throw line as the game was called evenly with Providence being whistled for 22 fouls while Mexico committed 19. Mexico also had 19 assists, 17 turnovers.
"We are never going to have an experience like this again," Himmelberg said. "The chance to represent your country is something special you don't get to do hardly ever in your lifetime. I mean unless you're in the military you will represent your country and some athletic events you might get the opportunity to if you're lucky enough. That's the biggest thing we are going to take away. As far as basketball goes, we learned a lot about ourselves, we learned some weaknesses and things we need to improve on. We learned some of our strengths and a lot of opportunities for a lot of different girls to step up. We had different girls be the high scorers down here and show what they can do, so, we have a lot of the pieces that are going to make us good in the future. It is just a matter of putting it all together.
Providence wraps the FISU America Games with a 3-0 record with two exhibition losses, both to Mexico. For those that want, the University of Providence lands at the Great Falls airport, Wednesday night around 9 pm and fans are encouraged to gather and welcome the Argos home.
Fans are also encouraged to make welcome home signs. The Argos will rest until they host defending NAIA champion, Thomas More (Ky.) to the McLaughlin Center November 5.