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China come back to beat Australia in women's basketball warm-up

Sports Scene

Yang Shuyu (#8) of China shoots in the game against Australia in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 2, 2024. /CFP
Yang Shuyu (#8) of China shoots in the game against Australia in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 2, 2024. /CFP

Yang Shuyu (#8) of China shoots in the game against Australia in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 2, 2024. /CFP

China's women's basketball team overcame a six-point deficit from the first half to defeat Australia 75-68 in their third warm-up game between the two teams in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on Sunday.

China were without multiple key players including Han Xu, Li Meng and Li Yueru for Sunday's game, but Yang Shuayu heated up quickly from downtown, draining two triples in the first quarter. Australia maintained their solid defense on both ends and led 20-17 in this period.

The "Opals" exploited China's lack of penetrating ability off the dribble by enhancing their defensive physicality in the second quarter, limiting the opponents to shooting 3-for-14 from the field. The home team also lost their shooting form outside the 3-point line in this period and saw the deficit grow to six points.

Wang Siyu (#6) of China drives toward the rim in the game against Australia in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 2, 2024. /CFP
Wang Siyu (#6) of China drives toward the rim in the game against Australia in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 2, 2024. /CFP

Wang Siyu (#6) of China drives toward the rim in the game against Australia in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 2, 2024. /CFP

Yang exploded again in the second half by knocking down three straight triples in the third quarter. She and Sun Mengran led a scoring run for China to lead 58-51. Though Australia managed to tie the score 66-66 by making 3-pointers continuously in the fourth period, China secured the win with better defense in the end.

"Our main goal of playing these warm-ups is to make progress in every game," Zheng Wei, China's coach, said after Sunday's game. "We found various defensive problems during different periods of time on the court, especially in rebound protection. We will focus on fixing that."

China will play another two games against Japan later on Wednesday and Friday in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, before heading overseas to face Spain and France, among others.

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