VALDIVIA, Chile (CMC):

Jamaica ran out of steam and finished eighth and last, when Mexico completed a 62-55 victory in the FIBA Americas Champion-ship for women yesterday.

The Jamaicans clearly saved their best basketball for their final match and kept pace with the Mexicans until midway into the final quarter, when the Central Americans showed they had the stronger legs and nerves.

The Jamaicans were leading 28-24 after the first period, but both teams went without a point in the second quarter to allow the English-speaking Caribbean side to hold on to the lead at the half-time buzzer.

The Jamaicans again outscored the Mexicans in the third stanza and were leading 44-40, but they allowed their opponents to wriggle free down the stretch and finished the competition without a win.

Jamaica also lost matches to Canada (47-68), the United States (47-115), Cuba (62-76) and hosts Chile (67-75). Simone Edwards again led the Jamaican scoring. She had 15 points and also grabbed six rebounds, and Nicole Louden scored 12 points and dished out five assists.

Brisa Silva of Mexico led all scorers with 21 points and also had four rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Later, Canada shot well from the field and dominated Chile 86-68 to end in fifth place, which meant the hosts' position was their best performance in a FIBA Americas Championship for women.