2018 Asian Games Recap: August 17th
Picture: FIBA.com
Eight teams in the women's tournament produced an exciting day of quality basketball at the Asian Games 2018. There's still a long way to go in the competition, but here's all the best action from the second round of group stage games:
Group A
Playing catch-up after falling behind by double digits to Chinese Taipei early on, Korea stepped up their close-range offence, with Ro Suk Yong posting a game-high 36 points. This gave way to a close, back-and-forth conclusion to the end of regulation. A two-pointer from Kim Hanbyul with six seconds left, sending the game to overtime.
The extra period followed the same pattern, with a trailing Korea looking to make up the difference. Ro closed the gap to one with a minute to go, while on the other end a jump shot from Bao Hse-Li and a free-throw from Peng Szuchin would clinch the game for Chinese Taipei, getting the win over Korea by two points.
India began their 2018 Asian Games campaign, but found themselves down to Kazakhstan early on. With the Kazakhs keeping up the pressure on offence and being forced into too many mistakes, there was nothing India could do to turn the game around. Tamara Yagodinka had a game-high 21 points, and Zalina Kurazova had an equally impressive showing with 16, Kazakhstan impress in their first win of the competition, 79-61 over India.
Group B
China followed an early eleven-point unbeaten run with tough defence against Japan, as well as nine three-pointers and high-percentage play from the field, the scoreline reflecting their dominance as they finish 105-73 over Japan. Li Meng and Liu Jiacen had 18 points each for China, while Saki Hayashi had 17 for Japan in their losing effort.
Mongolia took a double-digit lead in the opening quarter, after which Hong Kong’s front court duo of Li Tsz Kwan and Wong Po Sze worked hard on offence to close the gap, but they, or anyone else, couldn’t give Hong Kong the lead. The stronger team on defence and three-point shooting - sinking fifteen from long range - Mongolia got the best start to the tournament with a 83-79 win over Hong Kong. Bulbul Murat had the best game of anyone on court with 37 points for Mongolia.
Unbeaten China and Chinese Taipei both sit atop their respective groups. Kazakhstan and Korea both have 1-1 records in Group A, while Japan are still ahead of Mongolia in group standings by virtue of having played more games. Indonesia, Hong Kong, India and Thailand are all still without a win.
Women's basketball at the Asian Games resumes on the 19th, after the opening ceremony on Saturday. Until then, more can be found on the official website of the competition.
