In an exhilarating showdown at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, China’s defending champions secured a dominant 91-69 victory over South Korea. Han Xu and Zhang Ziyu combined for 36 points to power their team, proving why they are the double towers to watch! 🏀
Both sides struggled to hit their stride in the first half, missing several early opportunities. With the game scoreless for nearly two minutes, South Korea finally broke the ice when Park Ji-hyun sank a much-needed basket. However, as the contest progressed, emerging talents began to shine. Notably, 23-year-old forward Luo impressed with key offensive rebounds and flashy passes, sparking energy on the court.
An 18-year-old standout, Zhang—who towers at 226cm—was a dominant force in the paint, even though South Korea tried to target her mobility. The tension peaked when An He-ji nailed a long-range buzzer-beater at the end of the first period, cutting China's lead to just three points.
The drama continued in the second quarter as veteran center Park Ji-su sustained a shoulder injury while defending Zhang. Despite the scare, she returned later in the game after treatment, underscoring the resilient spirit of the team.
This victory not only solidified China’s status as defending champions but also highlighted a promising blend of experience and youthful talent. As the tournament unfolds, the energy and determination from both teams are set to bring even more thrilling moments for basketball fans around Asia! 🔥
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Double towers power China past South Korea at FIBA Women's Asia Cup
cgtn.com