Day 4: Australia reach FIBA U17 Women's World Cup; Korea, China collect morale-boosting wins

AMMAN (Jordan) - Australia are now bound for next year's FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup after blowing past Syria, 102-43, in Day 4 of Division A competitions in the FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship 2023, Thursday at the Prince Hamzah Sport Hall.

The Sapphires broke away from a slim three-point lead late in the first quarter and never looked back on the way to their third win in as many games, securing the no. 2 seed in Group A to become the third team to reach the crossover Semi-Finals after Chinese Taipei and Japan.

It will be the seventh  straight U17 Women's World Cup appearance for the Australians, who are also looking to extend their reign as U16 Women's Asian champions to three.

Jesse-May Hall led the way with 24 points. Ruby Perkins made 14 points, while Coco Hodges and Sitaya Fagan chipped in 12 markers apiece in the victory that saw the crew shoot 51.9-percent from the floor and dominate the battle of the boards, 51-32.

The Syrians, on the other hand, were led by Aya Almohammad's 14 points in the loss.

 

Korea snap out of two-game funk

Korea vented their frustrations on Thailand, 104-39, to end their two-game losing skid.

Lee Gahyun spearheaded the rout with 27 points and 16 rebounds, on top of 5 assists, 4 steals, and 4 blocks as she helped her side to a 28-14 lead late in the opening period, marking the beginning of a one-sided affair that led to their second win of the tournament.

Hwang Hyeonjeong backed her up with 23 points as she nailed half of the team's 12 triples in the win that also saw them dish 30 assists and haul down 75 boards.

Lim Yeonseo delivered on both ends too, finishing with 13 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 steals. Hwang Yoonseo produced a double-double of 13 markers and 10 caroms for Korea.

 

China boost Semis bid after first win

China boosted their Semi-Finals bid after keeping Samoa in search of a win, 94-49.

Yuhe Zhao and Qirui Xie finished with 13 points apiece to lead Team China, who broke the game open through a 26-8 outscoring of their counterparts in the third quarter to collect their first win of the tournament after losing to Japan in their first game Wednesday night.

The troika of Yaqi Liang, Ketong Liu, and Huizi Wang, meanwhile, all contributed 10 markers apiece in the victory that saw the squad tally 23 assists and 29 steals.

Mylaani Shay Siolosega Sione and L'Oreal Hiko, on the other hand, had 14 and 12 points, respectively, for Samoa, who absorbed their third loss in as many games.

 

Day 4 of the tournament saw female referees serve as crew chiefs in all Division A games, namely Elham Khazneh, Jennifer Ammoury, and Samaneh Dehgahni, further continuing FIBA Regional Office-Asia's strong commitment in promoting inclusivity in the game of basketball.

Daily highs
Efficiency: 41.0, Gahyun Lee (KOR)
Points: 27, Gahyun Lee (KOR)
Rebounds: 16, Gahyun Lee (KOR)
Assists: 9, Yeonseo Lim (KOR)
Steals: 9, Coco Hodges (AUS)
Blocks: 4: Gahyun Lee (KOR)

Results
Group A
Australia def. Syria, 102-43
Korea def. Thailand, 104-39

Group B
China def. Samoa, 94-49

FIBA