DONGGUAN (China) - Dongguan New Century opened their Women's Basketball League Asia (WBL Asia) 2025 campaign in style by way of a 90-74 victory over Ulaanbaatar, Tuesday at the Dongguan Sports Center.
The 2024-25 WCBA champions turned things around in the second period and then pulled away for good in the third canto on their way to becoming the first team to break through the win column in Group A.
A victory against 2024 silver medalists Cathay Life on Friday, September 26, would allow the Vermillion Birds to sweep their way into the Semi-Finals, where the top two teams of each group will compete.
Aliyah Collier top-scored for Dongguan with 22 points, highlighted by a 4-of-8 clip from deep, alongside 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a block for an efficiency of 28 as she committed no turnover.
Chen Mingling tallied a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, with Blessing Ejiofor coming through with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Chen Liyu added 11 as the quartet were crucial in the second-quarter turnaround.
The home team was staring at a 37-38 deficit but Collier gave them the lead back. Chen then knocked down a three-pointer, before Chen and Yang Liwei swished in jumpers to make it a 46-38 lead with 3:55 to go.
Ejiofor would contribute not long after, scoring four of their last seven points of the said quarter to help build a 53-44 advantage entering the break as they would remain in the driver's seat the rest of the way.
The Vermillion Birds would keep their flow going in the third, with Collier and Ejiofor scoring in back-to-back fashion in response to Amari Robinson for a 58-46 lead to put themselves ahead by twin digits permanently.
Dongguan would lead by as many as 22 points, 83-61, during the final period.
Put to naught by the loss, on the other hand, was the solid offensive display by Kayleigh Truong, who led the Amazons with 25 points - 19 of which she produced in just the first half - in all 40 minutes of play.
Robinson made 25 points as well with 5 rebounds, while star winger Khulan Onolbaatar and Ariuntsetseg Bat-Erdene chipped in 11 points apiece for Women's The League 2024-25 champions from Mongolia.
Ulaanbaatar will look for win no. 1 on Thursday, September 25, versus Cathay Life.
FIBA