SEREMBAN (Malaysia) - Korea withstood a late-game rally by Chinese Taipei to come away with the 67-64 decision and secure a spot in the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2026 Semi-Finals, Thursday at the Karisma Arena.
The 7-time champions saw the 14-point lead they built early in the final period become just three with 1:48 to go after Huang I-Chen's conversion from close range, but managed to hang on to leave with the victory.
Coach Lee Younghyun's charges leaned on defense and crucial offensive rebounding courtesy of lead wing Lim Yeonseo, and their foes' failure to put up a shot on time proved to be enough to pull off the escape.
The Koreans have forged a Semi-Finals showdown with the top team of Group B in Japan (3-0), becoming as well the latest to join the ensemble to the prestigious FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2027.
Japan and Australia, another team with a spotless 3-0 record to own Group A, were the first teams to reach the continental conclave to be hosted by China from July 17-25, 2027 in the city of Chengdu in Sichuan.
China are already qualified, being the hosts.
Lim top-scored for Korea with a game-high 23 points and 9 rebounds, on top of 2 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks for a full lune as she also hit crucial buckets down the stretch to keep the opposition at arm's length.
That included the second of her two triples in the match to widen the gap to nine, 65-56 with 3:32 remaining as she once again reprised her role as one of the team's key closers whenever the going gets tough.
Cho Heewon supplied 17 points. Lee Sohee chipped in 11 points, including the clean elbow jumper she hit for the 67-62 lead entering the final two minutes of the ball game, which proved to be their last field goal.
Kim Damhee came close to a double-double as she registered 9 points and 18 rebounds, the second time she finished in double figures in boards after hauling down a total of 19 in their Opening Day win versus New Zealand.
Chinese Taipei were led by Lin Nian Zhen with 14 points. Huang notched 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Wu Hsuan-Ling added 11 and 7 rebounds as they all powered the fightback bid that ultimately fell just short.
Chinese Taipei will play in the Classification 5-6 just before the Semi-Finals tip off tomorrow at 14:00 local time, against the losing team of the other Qualification to Semi-Finals bracket featuring China and the Philippines.
Meanwhile, New Zealand retained their Division A status by beating Malaysia in the Classification 7-8, 78-40, earlier in the day. Madelin Eliades led the way with 13 points as they relegated the hosts to Division B.
This means that the South East Asian side will have to earn their way back to the top level by playing in and winning the second division in the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup-Division B in 2028 in Kazakhstan.
FIBA