China's Guo Zixuan (L) shoots during the game against Japan in Xichang, China, August 17, 2019. /VCG Photo
The Chinese women’s basketball team registered an emphatic 83-65 victory over Japan to win their game in the Xichang International Championship in China on Saturday.
This was the home side’s second successive victory in the tournament after their win in the opening game against Puerto Rico in the international tournament in Sichuan Province.
Earlier, Li Yueru's lay-up gave China a 15-11 lead in the opening quarter. Subsequently, a sublime Chen Mingling extended the home side’s advantage to nine. China moved further ahead in the second quarter as Li Yuan sank a triple to make it a 14-point game.
China's Guo Zixuan (R) charges during the game in Xichang, China, August 17, 2019. /VCG Photo
Buoyed by the home support, the Chinese women kept the momentum going and saw Japan losing the ball on several occasions. They made the most of their turnovers to establish a 45-21 lead at halftime.
After the break, China's captain Shao Ting continued to dominate the game and went on to score a game-high 16 points before in-form Li's layup made it 49-31 midway through the third quarter. Guo Zixuan’s corner three helped the hosts go ahead by 21 points.
Eventually, a superior China were able to cruise to an 83-65 blowout for their second victory and will claim the title if they beat Greece in the third contest later today.