SEOUL (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Korea claimed a decisive 93-72 home victory over winless Hong Kong in Group A action of the Asian Qualifiers second window on Friday.

Having split their games in the first window, Korea started their home stand in style with naturalized star Ricardo Ratliffe unstoppable in the paint with 13 points and 9 rebounds, while Junghyun Lee nailed five long-range bombs to notch 20 points. Ki Lee was sensational for Hong Kong with a game-high 23 points on an efficient 8-of-12 from the floor.

Korea had to resist several punches from the gritty Hong Kong but a 22-2 run overlapping the first and second quarters proved the game-winning burst from the home side.

Both teams started well through hot shooting as underdog Hong Kong matched their fancied opponents in the early going and led late in the first quarter. Energized by their bench, Korea shook into gear and swarmed Hong Kong with tenacious defense to take control of the contest.

Hong Kong could not buy a bucket and went the first six minutes of the second quarter without scoring as the game suddenly became one-sided. Finally, Hong Kong ended their drought with a Lee three pointer and they then hit two more buckets out of nowhere but the deficit was still a sizeable 15 points.

A spectacular long-range buzzer beater by Lee was a positive note to a disappointing first-half by Hong Kong, who trailed 50-34 after a major shooting slump for much of the second quarter.

Like they started the game, Hong Kong opened the third strongly to reduce the margin to 58-49 midway through the quarter. But strong offensive rebounding fuelled Korea and they once again pulled away late in the third before cruising to victory.

Korea host New Zealand on Monday, while Hong Kong play China.

FIBA