SEREMBAN (Malaysia) - Australia swept their way into the FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup 2025 Semi-Finals following a 126-46 conquest of the erstwhile unbeaten Chinese Taipei at the Karisma Arena, Wednesday.
The Sapphires unloaded an 11-0 run - triggered by Sophie Richardson and Isabel Smith - to end the opening frame with a 28-11 lead, and then broke away in the ensuing period on the way to clinching the top spot in Group A.
Now toting a pristine 3-0 record, the four-peat seekers' entry to the final four has also formalized their qualification to the prestigious FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Czechia to be held next year.
Smith led the young Aussies with a game-high 19 points alongside 2 rebounds and 9 assists, while Richardson came through with 17 points as the tandem combined for eight of the team's 11 three-pointers.
Madison Ryan supplied 13 points and 6 assists. Marianela Fakalata tallied a 12-3-4 stat line while the duo of Jemyma Manyok and Laura Seiz chipped in 11 apiece, with the former adding 13 rebounds to her name.
Team Australia shot an excellent 65.7-percent from the floor but it was also their defense that proved key, as they held Chinese Taipei to that low of an output - that, after they averaged 81.0 points in their last two games.
Lin Nian-Zhen led Chinese Taipei with 11 points in the defeat.
FIBA