BANGKOK (Thailand) - Kazakhstan and Lebanon came away with contrasting victories as the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2026-Division B festivities finally got underway on Monday at the Nimibutr Stadium.
The CABA champions leaned on a big second half en route to an 88-59 decimation of Samoa, while the team from WABA needed to overcome a gusty Cook Islands side before coming away with the 54-51 decision.
Liana Dymovskikh flirted with a triple-double to lead the Kazakhs with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 8 of the squad's 32 steals as she helped lead their fourth-quarter breakaway en route to the 29-point W.
She scored 8 points in the payoff period alone, nearly matching the foes' total output by her lonesome as they put together a 27-9 assault to finish strongly after getting their groove on during the middle quarters.
Yerlan Shakhida supplied 19 points and 6 rebounds. Amina Sharipova chipped in 15 points on top of 4 rebounds and 5 steals, with Milana Krutevich making her presence felt with 5 points and 13 rebounds for Kazakhstan.
Tyra Lee-Hang led Samoa with 20 points, while Tapuitea Matatia added 12 in the loss. The two were responsible for giving themselves the 29-25 lead early in the second but the opposition turned it around, never to let up.
Meanwhile, Lara Al Nakib tallied 22 points alongside 4 rebounds and 5 assists plus 3 steals as she helped the Lebanese steady the ship in the endgame after their Oceania counterparts imposed a serious threat.
Lebanon were already leading by 17 points early in the final period but the Cook Islands rallied back and chopped the gap to just three, 52-49, behind a Dynahia Marsters triple from the top of the key with 2:37 to go.
The debuting squad, though, struggled to find the mark afterward, and Al Nakib would make them pay via free throws to widen the gap to 54-49 with 14 seconds left, which were more than enough to seal the deal.
Gloria Kamar backed her up with 11 points. The troika of Elisa Abou Jaoude, Karin Kamaz, and Nour Hoteit hauled down at least 8 rebounds apiece as they made sure to contribute significantly in the triumph.
Leading the Cook Islands were Bridgette Kata and Latysha Iotua with 11 points each in the fightback that fell just short. Aphrodite Piri came up short of a double-double performance with 9 points and 12 rebounds.
With these results, Kazakhstan and Lebanon are sharing the lead in Group B, and will try to continue their winning ways as they trade opponents in the Group Phase's second gameday tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14.
Lebanon will open the day with a meeting against Samoa at 12:00 local time, before Kazakhstan test the Cook Islands' mettle at 14:30. All Division B games are streamed live on FIBA's official YouTube channel.
FIBA