SEREMBAN (Malaysia) - Australia advanced to the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2026-Division A Semi-Finals outright following a wire-to-wire 92-56 victory over Korea on Tuesday at the Karisma Arena.
The 'three-peat' seekers leapt to a 16-3 start into the match before finishing the opening period with a huge 34-9 lead, and that was all they needed to eventually notch their third win in as many outings.
Coach Kristi Harrower and her charges clinched the no. 1 spot in Group A, in the process booking a direct flight to the Semi-Finals on Friday - indeed a significant step toward their bid of winning another gold.
And by reaching the Semi-Finals, the program is also assured of a spot in the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2027 in China, where the top four teams from the U18 Women's Asia Cup will qualify.
Madison Ryan led the Gems with 19 points and 10 rebounds. The FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup 2025 All-Star Five member nearly matched their foes' first-half output as she already had 17, leading her side to a 59-19 lead.
Olivia Olechnowicz supplied 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. Isabel Smith made 16 points, while Sophie Richardson and Taryn Bond added 10 points apiece as a total of 10 players scored in the triumph.
Team Korea, on the other hand, were led by Lee Yeonseo again with 16 points in the defeat, their first after starting out the tournament with back-to-back wins against New Zealand and the Philippines, respectively.
Lee Sohee was the only other player in double digits with 11 points for the 7-time champions, who finished at no. 2 in Group A with a 2-1 record and will play in the Qualification to Semi-Finals on Thursday, October 8.
Meanwhile, the Philippines came from behind to beat New Zealand, 69-64, for their first win in Division A play, clinching the third spot in the group with a 1-2 card to reach the Qualification to Semi-Finals.
FIBA