SHENZHEN, July 15 (Xinhua) — China rode on a robust second half to defeat South Korea 91-69, whereas Australia emerged victorious 79-67 in a conflict of titans over Japan to complete as Group B chief and safe a semifinal spot on the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup right here on Tuesday.
China had an early 7-0 run on the way in which to a 13-5 lead, whereas guard An He-ji’s buzzer-beating heave pulled South Korea inside 16-13 because the opening interval expired.
An’s one other shot from 3-point vary moved South Korea on degree phrases at 19-19. China captain Yang Liwei stepped up, making a layup after which one other on a quick break because the host went forward 30-24, however fueled by Shin Ji-hyun’s 5 straight factors, South Korea stayed in competition.
With its star shooter Kang Lee-seul sidelined as a consequence of a leg harm, South Korea had a second of scare when middle Park Ji-su left the courtroom grabbing her proper arm with 1:18 left to play within the second quarter. Yang’s layup helped China to a 36-29 halftime lead.
With the dual tower of Zhang Ziyu and Han Xu on the courtroom, China protected the rim excellently after the restart, incomes its first double-digit lead at 42-29. China outscored South Korea 30-20 within the third quarter for an unassailable 17-point margin.
Yang drained a 3-pointer with 2:50 on the clock to push the result in 20 factors, successfully sealing the defending champion’s second straight win in as many matches.
Four Chinese gamers cracked double figures in scoring, with Zhang and Han contributing 18 factors apiece. Yang and Zhang Ru helped with 11 and 10 factors respectively.
“We were focused on defense in the second half,” mentioned Yang after the sport. On her personal efficiency in clutch time, she added, “I didn’t think too much. I just put what I had trained into my play.”
“This game is important for us to finish our task in the group stage,” China coach Gong Luming instructed a press convention. “We, as a young team, really wanted to play this game well. At the beginning, players were tight, especially on the offensive end, we were a little bit rushing.”
“In the second half, we played much more freely, with greater momentum and smoothness,” he added.
Both unbeaten after two video games, Japan and Australia went head-to-head for a prime place in Group B, which might benefit a direct qualification for the semifinals.
Australia capped off a nip-and-tuck first quarter forward 26-22. With the rating knotted at 35-35 halfway by way of the second quarter, Stephanie Mawuli scored seven straight factors as Japan started to take a stranglehold of the sport en path to a 51-42 lead at halftime.
Australia bounced again strongly after the intermission, bringing the sport degree at 59-59 heading into the ultimate body.
Leading 65-63 with six minutes remaining, the Opals had a decisive 7-0 run to interrupt the sport open and by no means appeared again.
Australia tops the group with an ideal report, thus advancing to the ultimate 4, whereas the 2023 version’s silver medalist Japan has to dispute the semifinal qualification on Friday to maintain its probabilities alive.
In the opposite recreation of Group A, New Zealand cruised previous Indonesia 75-45.
Facing a taller and extra bodily New Zealand, Division A debutant Indonesia was undeterred, using its fast-paced recreation to maintain the 2023 semifinalist inside putting distance early on.
After a 14-14 opening tie, New Zealand blew open the sport with an 11-0 run bridging the primary and second quarters to open up a double-digit lead.
The lead would balloon to twenty factors on the midpoint of the third quarter, and the world No. 26 was by no means threatened the remainder of the way in which.
Esra McGoldrick led all scorers with 18 factors for New Zealand, whereas Kim Pierre-Louis had a team-high 11 factors for Indonesia.
China will face New Zealand on Wednesday, whereas South Korea performs in opposition to Indonesia.
Speaking of the China recreation, New Zealand coach Natalie Hurst mentioned: “It’s a great opportunity for us to come out and play against one of the best teams in the world.”
“We just hope to continue to grow, our group as a whole, and work on something that we want to work on,” she added.