El Salvador delivered a dramatic overtime comeback win, erasing a 22-point deficit to edge Guyana 85-84 in a Group Phase game of the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2027 Centrobasket Qualifiers on July 12, 2026, at the Polideportivo Alexis Argüello in Managua. Guyana controlled the game for more than 32 minutes and built a commanding lead early in the second quarter, but El Salvador stormed back after halftime and sealed the deal in extra time. The contest featured 10 lead changes and was ultimately decided by a single clutch basket in the final moments.
TURNING POINT
The decisive moment arrived with 21 seconds remaining in overtime, when Brandi Harvey-Carr knocked down a two-point jumper to flip an 83-84 deficit into an 85-84 El Salvador lead. That basket marked the final lead change of the night.
Guyana still had a chance to respond, but with 13 seconds left, Ava Thomas missed a three-pointer from beyond the arc that could have put Guyana ahead 85-87. El Salvador then held on through the final possession to secure a razor-thin victory.
GAME HEROES
Harvey-Carr was the undisputed hero for El Salvador, finishing with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 steals in 41:09 of action. She posted a +2 plus/minus and a 35 efficiency rating, shooting an ultra-efficient 13-of-19 from the field, including 13-of-18 from two-point range. Her late jumper in the paint proved to be the dagger that decided the game.
Gabriela Alfaro added 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in 42:54, leading the team with a +7 plus/minus. Emily Tevez contributed 12 points, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block in 42:21, providing steady playmaking throughout. Off the bench, Adriana Rivas supplied 7 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks in just 20:49, posting an 18 efficiency rating and making a major impact on the glass.
For Guyana, Ruth Adams put on a show with 33 points and 15 rebounds, while Joy Adams recorded a triple-double of 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, along with 5 steals, stuffing the stat sheet in a losing effort.
RUNS
Guyana’s biggest run came early, as they unleashed a 0-20 surge spanning from late in the first quarter into the second, turning a 6-6 tie into a commanding 6-26 advantage. Joy Adams led the way during this stretch, scoring 6 points on perfect shooting and grabbing 5 rebounds as Guyana seized control.
El Salvador’s most significant run came in the fourth quarter, when they rattled off a 13-0 burst to flip a 58-65 deficit into a 71-65 lead with 4:23 left. Harvey-Carr was unstoppable during this sequence, pouring in 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting, knocking down 2 free throws, and pulling down 3 rebounds to fuel the comeback.
COMEBACKS
El Salvador mounted a remarkable rally after trailing by as many as 22 points early in the second quarter (6-28 at Q2 9:05). Over the next two quarters, they steadily chipped away at the deficit and finally took the lead with 6:34 remaining in the fourth quarter at 66-65. It was a true team effort that shifted the momentum and set the stage for a thrilling finish.
LEAD CHANGES
The game featured 10 lead changes, beginning with the first at 9:16 in the opening quarter and culminating with the last at 0:21 remaining in overtime. The back-and-forth nature of the contest reflected a tightly contested battle from start to finish.
BIGGEST LEADS
Guyana built the largest lead of the game at 22 points early in the second quarter (6-28 at Q2 9:05), appearing to be in complete control. El Salvador’s biggest lead was 6 points, achieved with 4:23 left in the fourth quarter at 71-65, capping their furious rally.
TIME SPENT LEADING
Guyana led for 32 minutes and 49 seconds, dictating the pace for most of the night before letting it slip away in the closing stages. El Salvador spent just 9 minutes and 20 seconds in front, but made those moments count when it mattered most. The score was tied for 2 minutes and 51 seconds.
CRUNCH TIME *
The game featured 9:11 of crunch time, during which Guyana outscored El Salvador 14-17. It was a true thriller down the stretch, with both teams trading blows in high-pressure moments. Harvey-Carr was the crunch time MVP for El Salvador, delivering 7 points, 4 rebounds, and a steal without committing a turnover.
Guyana leaned heavily on their three-point shooting in crunch time, connecting on 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, while El Salvador found more success inside the arc and at the free-throw line. Both teams battled on the boards, but El Salvador edged Guyana 9-7 in rebounds during the decisive moments.
** Defined as any stretch in the final five minutes with the margin at five points or fewer.
El Salvador’s overtime comeback win will be remembered as one of the most dramatic games of the group phase, showcasing resilience, clutch shot-making, and a never-say-die attitude. Guyana threw everything they had at their opponents, but in the end, it was Harvey-Carr and El Salvador who put this game to bed and kept their tournament hopes alive.