Yang Liwei (L) of Inner Mongolia goes for a layup during Game 2 of the 2021-22 Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) finals against Sichuan in Chengdu, China on Jan. 2, 2022. (Xinhua)
Inner Mongolia defeats Sichuan 87-86 in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals to claim their Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) title.
CHENGDU, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Inner Mongolia defended their Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) title after edging past Sichuan 87-86 in Game 2 of the finals here on Sunday.
Following their 75-70 victory on Friday, Inner Mongolia took the best-of-three series 2-0.
Yang Liwei, who turns 27 on Sunday, scored 30 points for Inner Mongolia to go along with six rebounds and six assists, and was named the Finals MVP.
Shen Yi provided considerable firepower for the reigning champions with 22 points and eight assists. Li Yueru posted a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds.
It was another neck-and-neck duel between the league's top two sides, both of whom boast several national team players.
Despite scoring seven points, Huang Sijing buried her sole three-pointer with 1:10 to play as Inner Mongolia led 86-83.
Yang converted one of two free throws afterwards, and Huang missed both free throws as a desperate Sichuan tried to pull the game back within reach. Li Meng made a corner three, but it was not enough for Sichuan to drag the series into a third and final game.
After Shen opened the scoring with a shot from 3-point range, Sichuan center Han Xu took center stage by scoring 13 points in the first quarter, and Li followed with consecutive baskets to help Sichuan build a 26-24 advantage as the first quarter ran out.
Zhao Xuetong stepped up to score seven points in the second quarter for Sichuan, who rode on a 13-1 run to go into half-time 47-42 ahead.
Han, Li and Gao Song combined for all of 14 points in the third quarter, and Sichuan entered the final frame 61-55 up.
Yang then bagged 16 points in the final 10 minutes. Scoring seven down the stretch, Shen also played a big part in Inner Mongolia's comeback en route to their second WCBA title in as many years.
Han Xu finished with a game-high 33 points for the regular season's top-ranked side Sichuan. Li Meng, also celebrating her 27th birthday on Sunday, contributed 30 points and 10 assists. Gao Song added 10 points. ■
