BANGKOK (Thailand) - Kazakhstan leaned on a big second-half showing to blow out Samoa, 88-59, to open the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2026-Division B festivities at the Nimibutr Stadium on Monday.
The CABA representatives began to build a double-digit lead late in the third before breaking away in the final frame by completely owning their counterparts, 27-9, to finish strong in the tilt's very first game.
Liana Dymovskikh led the Kazakhs with 20 points, alongside 7 rebounds and 4 assists. She scored 8 points in the payoff period alone, nearly matching their foes' total output in the said quarter to help in the rout.
Yerlan Shakhida supplied 19 points and 6 rebounds, while Amina Sharipova chipped in 15 points on top of 4 rebounds and 5 of the team's whopping 32 steals as they relied on defense to post the huge W.
Milana Krutevich also made her presence felt with 5 points and 13 rebounds for Kazakhstan, who are now leading Group B although either Lebanon or the Cook Islands will be joining them in the winners' circle later.
The Lebanese and the team from Oceania are playing against one another as of this posting.
Tyra Lee-Hang led Samoa with 20 points, with Tapuitea Matatia adding 12 in the loss. The two gave their team the 29-25 lead early in the second quarter but the opposition quickly turned it around, never to let up.
*This article will be updated.