Defending champ U.S. hand China 1st defeat at Women's Basketball World Cup(updated)-Xinhua

Defending champ U.S. hand China 1st defeat at Women's Basketball World Cup(updated)

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2022-09-24 17:31:45

SYDNEY, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The United States inflicted the first loss on China 77-63 at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Group A actions here on Saturday.

Seven Chinese players hit the scoreboard, as Li Meng led three Chinese players in double figures with 21 points and two rebounds. Wang Siyu had 17 points, four rebounds, and six assists while Li Yueru and Han Xu scored six rebounds apiece.

A'ja Wilson had 20 points and eight rebounds for the U.S. while Chelsea Gray scored 12 points and six rebounds.

The clash was considered as one of the most absorbing games in the group phase. China were fresh from two overwhelming wins over South Korea and Bosnia and Herzegovina as they faced the three-time defending champions whose campaign was boosted with the return of their WNBA championship trio Kelsey Plum, Gray and Wilson ahead of the game.

The United States started aggressively and raced out to a 11-0 lead within the opening two minutes with consecutive three-pointers, forcing China into a time-out.

The Chinese players showed their resistance and tied the game at 13-13 after Wang's two free throws with three minutes remaining. The United States went ahead 18-13 as the first quarter expired.

While China were given a much harder test by the reigning champions in the second quarter, the Chinese players showed guts and made efforts to get everyone involved in the game. However, fueled by an array of powerful stars led by Wilson, the United States arguably took total control of the rest of the quarter.

After leading 31-25 midway through the second quarter, the United States pulled away with a 13-0 surge from there to establish a 44-25 halftime advantage. The world No. 1 side shot 7 of 12 from the 3-point range in the first half.

A gritty Chinese team put on another comeback effort back from the locker room, as Han and Wang combined for straight points to cap the third quarter 56-47.

The United States kicked off the final period with a 7-0 run. China once again whittled down the gap to single digit after Han's layup with two minutes to play, but the reigning world champions held their nerves afterwards to come through.

China will take on Puerto Rico on Monday, while the United States will face South Korea.

The top four teams from each of the two groups will progress to the quarter-finals.