LIKE a bolt of lightning Jamaica’s chances of reaching the top-three at the 2012 Centrobasket Championship for Women in Morovis, Puerto Rico, all but ended after being beaten 65-44 by Mexico on Wednesday.

After a heavy 83-52 defeat to host nation Puerto Rico Tuesday night, the Jamaicans returned to the Jose “Pepe” Huyke Coloseum faced with a must-win situation.

But they were unable to rise to the occasion like they did in the 2010 edition when they shocked the Mexicans en route to the semi-finals and were outscored in every quarter, while shooting guard Sasha Dixon was fouled out.

The Mexicans had more turnovers and even then the Jamaicans failed to

capitalize, shooting at a disappointing 28.4 percent. Support from the bench was also very minimal – two points was all they could conjure up.

Point guard Tarita Gordon had a team high 18 points and two rebounds, while six-foot centre Shanneika Smith, who led the scoring against the Puerto Ricans, recorded 13 points and seven rebounds.

For the Mexicans, power forward Maria Orozco scored a game high 22 points, four rebounds and two assists, while shooting guard Racio Medrano supported with 10 points and centre Abril Alvarez, who was effective defensively had nine points and nine rebounds.

Mexico now sits atop Group A with two wins from two games and are assured of a semi-finals berth.