SANTIAGO, Chile — Tipping off at 8 a.m. local time, Team USA’s women’s basketball team improved to 2-0 with a 80-12 victory over Peru. Outscoring its opponents 26-2 by halftime, the United States were led by Courtney Ryan’s 14 points along with two other double-digit scorers. 

As for men’s basketball, the U.S. defeated Puerto Rico 81-44 off of a game-high 16 points by retired Marine Lance Corporal Jorge Salazar. It also celebrated the first international basket from newcomer A.J. Fitzpatrick, who finished with eight points. 

“It feels awesome,” Fitzpatrick said about getting on the board. “I didn’t get a whole lot of playing time in our first game but this game it felt relieving to finally get my first 2.” 

The U.S. rugby team carried over its stellar play from Sunday in a comfortable 54-36 win against Brazil. Captain Chuck Aoki recorded 20 tries on the afternoon while Zion Min Redington chipped in with 10. 

“We’re in a great mindset right now,” Team USA’s Sarah Adam said. “We were able to keep playing USA ball really smart, methodical rugby. That’s exactly what we’re going to do leading into Canada. Nothing changes.”

In goalball, the U.S.’s men’s and women’s squads handily beat Venezuela and Chile, respectively. Built up by five different goal throwers, the men won 15-5 while the women were 9-1 victors. 

Monday, however, also marked Team USA CP Football’s second consecutive loss. After the U.S. obtained a 4-2 victory over the host nation in its opening game, it fell to Argentina 2-0 before losing to Brazil by the same margin. 

Heading into the pool, the United States picked up five medals through 17 total swimming events. Headlined by a double-podium event, where Taylor Winnett and Mikaela Jenkins placed second and third, respectively, in the S10 women’s 400m freestyle, Team USA’s Cali Prochaska (1:13.54) won gold at the S9 women’s 100m butterfly. 

By way of athletes Katie Davis, Richard Ties and Benjamin Goodrich, the U.S. registered three bronze medals in Judo while Stetson Bardfield saw gold in the R5 mixed 10m rifle prone SH2. 

Though the United States struggled to garner results in table tennis or boccia on Monday, it found success in archery and tennis. Team USA’s Connor Stroud and women’s tandem Dana Mathewson and Maylee Phelps both completed straight-set victories over Canadian opponents. 

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Then, archer Jason Tabansky, also a  U.S. Army veteran, continued his win streak with a 132-123 win in the men’s individual W1 semifinals. 

On Tuesday: Team USA shooting and swimming returns while wheelchair rugby, men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball and goalball will all take place. Athletics begins at Estadio Nacional, too.

Check out the Wheelchair Sports Federation Media page for constant coverage throughout the 2023 Parapan American Games.