ESP/CHN – Spain snatch victory from jaws of defeat

BANGKOK (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - Spain came from the brink and defeated China 77-75 in Overtime, on Saturday, to keep their unbeaten record in Group D intact.

Having trailed for most of the first three quarters, Spain went ahead for the first time midway through the third quarter. An enthusiastic flow of action ensued with neither able to take any decisive lead.

China, who led by as many 13 points at one stage, seemed to have gained control, when Lu Wen went up to the foul-line, with seven seconds left in the game.

Lu converted the first attempt, but the second bounced off the rim and the game went into Overtime tied at 69.

And in the Overtime, the two Martas in the Spain line-up – Xargay Casademont and Tudanca –converted four free-throws each and the current European U18 champions went on to win the game.

Xargay Casademont and Lu shared the scoring honours for the game with 24 points each.

Lu also collected a game-high nine rebounds as the battle of boards was shared 37-37.

Vanessa Ble who had sparked off the Spanish revival chipped in with 14 points. Tudanca and Vega Gimeno scored 12 points each.

Zhao Shuang converted three of five her three-pointer attempts and finished with 14 points as Ding Yuan scored 12 for China.

FIBA