Han Xu and Zhang Ziyu combined for 36 points to propel China to a commanding 91-69 victory over South Korea in a Group B matchup at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on Tuesday.
The game started sluggishly, with both teams struggling to find their offensive rhythm. China missed several early opportunities under the rim, as Li Yuan, Luo Xinyu, and Han Xu couldn’t capitalize in the paint. South Korea also faltered with multiple wide-open chances, leaving the scoreboard empty for nearly two minutes until Park Ji-hyun finally broke the drought.
Luo Xinyu, a 23-year-old forward, stepped up amid China’s slow start, securing crucial offensive rebounds and delivering flashy assists. The introduction of 18-year-old Zhang Ziyu, towering at 226 cm, midway through the first quarter added a dominant presence inside. Despite South Korea targeting her mobility on offense, Zhang’s impact was immediate. An He-ji’s buzzer-beating long-range shot trimmed China’s lead to three points at the end of the first period.
In the second quarter, South Korea faced a setback when veteran center Park Ji-su suffered a shoulder injury while defending Zhang. She was sidelined but managed to return for the second half after receiving treatment.
China made a pivotal tactical adjustment after halftime, unveiling the “twin towers” lineup of Han Xu and Zhang Ziyu for the first time in the tournament. The strategy paid off as the duo scored consecutively, stretching China’s lead into double digits. South Korea responded with a barrage of three-pointers to keep the deficit around 10 points.
Late in the third quarter, China switched to a small-ball lineup without a traditional center. The increased pace allowed Jia Saiqi and Wang Siyu to penetrate the defense, helping China extend their advantage to 17 points entering the final quarter.
China’s perimeter shooting, cold for much of the game, heated up in the fourth quarter. Huang Sijing, Yang Liwei, and Zhai Ruoyun each knocked down timely three-pointers, widening the gap further. South Korea, battling fatigue, couldn’t convert on several smart cuts, and their momentum waned.
As the final buzzer sounded, China secured a decisive win to remain unbeaten in the group stage. Han Xu and Zhang Ziyu each scored a team-high 18 points, with Han also grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds. For South Korea, Choi I-saem led with 16 points, including four three-pointers, while An He-ji contributed 15 points.
