SAN JUAN (2009 FIBA Americas Championship) - Mexico defeated the US Virgin Islands 80-63 to reach the quarterfinals of the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship.

With this victory, Group A will have Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Uruguay. They will face the four best teams from Group B where Brazil already qualified.

Mexico had five scorers in double figures, they were Anthony Pedroza along with Omar Quintero with 17 each, Noe Alonzo with Gustavon Ayon had 16 each and Horacio Llamas netted 10 points, had 8 boards and
dished 7 assists.

The Mexicans won the first quarter 15-13 as Anthony Pedroza and Omar Quintero had 6 points each. Cuthbert Victor led USVI with 5 points.

In the second quarter, USVI made a 12-0 run in the first four minutes to take a 25-15 lead after a basket by Kevin Sheppard. At halftime USVI led 32-27 where Sheppard and Victor had 7 each.

The third quarter was for Mexico led by Pedroza and Ayon to finish up 53-50 and they never looked back with a balanced offensive performance.

USVI, who finished 0-4, had Kevin Sheppard with 18 points while Walter Hodge had 12.

Luis Modestti
FIBA Americas

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