Nicaragua Women Hold Off Guyana in Centrobasket Championship Thriller, 92-87

The Nicaragua Women's National Basketball team earned a hard-fought 92-87 victory over Guyana in the Central America Women's Centrobasket Championship on July 19, 2026. The game, played in San Salvador, El Salvador, saw Nicaragua withstand a furious Guyana rally in the fourth quarter to secure a crucial group-stage win. The result strengthens Nicaragua's position in the tournament standings as they push for a semifinal berth.

Fast Start Powers Nicaragua

Nicaragua came out with high energy, jumping to a 28-18 lead after the first quarter. Their offense clicked behind the inside-out play of center Daniela González, who controlled the paint early. Guyana struggled to find rhythm from the perimeter, shooting just 3-for-11 from three in the opening period. By halftime, Nicaragua had extended the margin to 50-38, with guard María Auxiliadora López contributing 11 points and 4 assists.

Guyana Battles Back in the Third

Guyana refused to fold. Led by forward Sheniqua Trim, who scored 12 of her game-high 27 points in the third quarter, the Guyanese team chipped away at the deficit. Trim’s ability to drive to the basket and draw fouls kept Guyana in the game. A 9-0 run capped by a three-pointer from guard Natalie Providence pulled Guyana within 72-66 entering the fourth quarter. The momentum had clearly shifted.

Nail-Biting Fourth Quarter

The final period was a tense back-and-forth affair. Guyana tied the game at 78-78 with 5:34 remaining on a baseline jumper by Trim. But Nicaragua’s López answered with a clutch three-pointer on the next possession, and the Central Americans never trailed again. With the score 84-82 in the final minute, Nicaragua’s veteran forward Jenny Morales grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back for a crucial basket. Guyana had a chance to tie on their next possession, but a missed three and a foul sent Nicaragua to the free-throw line, where they sealed the 92-87 win.

Key Performances

• Nicaragua Women: María Auxiliadora López led all scorers with 25 points and 6 assists. Daniela González finished with a double-double: 18 points and 12 rebounds. Jenny Morales added 16 points and 9 rebounds.
• Guyana Women: Sheniqua Trim poured in 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Natalie Providence chipped in 16 points, hitting three three-pointers. Forward Latoya Harris contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Tournament Context

The Centrobasket Championship serves as a qualifying event for major FIBA Americas competitions, making every victory vital. Nicaragua, now 2-1 in group play, sits in second place behind Costa Rica. Guyana drops to 1-2, but still has a path to the knockout rounds with games remaining. The Nicaraguan squad has shown strong chemistry throughout the tournament, relying on a balanced attack and aggressive defense to overcome deficits.

As the championship progresses, Nicaragua will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup against Panama. Guyana, meanwhile, must regroup quickly and sharpen their perimeter shooting if they hope to advance. The 92-87 thriller between these two sides provided one of the most entertaining games of the tournament so far, showcasing the growing depth of women’s basketball in the Central American and Caribbean region.