AMMAN (Jordan) - There was joy for neighbors Lebanon and Jordan in Amman on Friday as they both celebrated Semi-Final wins to set up a mouth-watering FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2021 Division B Final.

A place in Division A will be at stake, with Lebanon were the first to book their spot in the showpiece game. They outlasted Indonesia 76-62, taking control shortly after the interval to snap open what had been an intensely fought first-half. Only a point separated both sides at the break, but a combination of nice play from Lebanon and foul trouble for Indonesia proved pivotal.

While Indonesia tried to haul their way back into the contest, Lebanon resisted strongly and played smart in the last quarter to finish the job in style. It was a big team effort from the winning side, with five players posting double-digit scoring returns. Rebecca Akl had 19 points and 5 assists, while Brittany Denson had a vital 14 points and 7 rebounds inside.

Meanwhile Jordan also protected their perfect record by moving past Kazakhstan 61-56, although it proved difficult to shake-off their opponents, with the result hanging in the balance right until the last minute.

It was a one-shot game in the favor of the local favorites with less than 60 seconds remaining until Rasha Abdo stepped up to make a dagger  three-point shot and that helped get Jordan over the line.

Natasha Cloud flirted with a triple-double for Jordan after recording  25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists - as well as grabbing 5 steals. Although yet again, Marya Al Hinn was hugely important for the hosts. She racked up a double-double of 19 points and 11 boards.  

Tamara Yagodkina stood out with 19 points and 10 rebounds for Kazakhstan, who will face Indonesia in the Third-Place Game. 

FIBA