In an electrifying warm-up match on Sunday in Haikou, the Chinese women’s basketball team faced a challenging 76-63 defeat against Australia, marking their first loss after a strong winning streak in June.
The game kicked off with Han Xu sinking the first basket for China, setting an energetic tone as both teams battled fiercely. However, after Han’s exit from the court, Australia’s offense surged, taking advantage of gaps in China’s defense. By the end of the first quarter, China found themselves trailing 28-19.
Struggles continued into the second quarter for China as they grappled with turnovers and fouls, disrupting their offensive flow. Australia capitalized, pushing their lead to 18 points by halftime with relentless aggression.
Emerging from the break with determination, China fought back. Sharpshooters like Yang Liwei and Luo Xinyu fired off multiple three-pointers, thrilling fans and cutting the deficit to just seven points. Despite the spirited comeback, Australia sealed the victory with clutch three-pointers in the game’s closing moments.
Han Xu stood out for China with an impressive 15 points and nine rebounds. Australia showcased depth with three players scoring in double digits, notably Isabelle Bourne matching Han’s 15 points.
The teams are set to clash again on Tuesday in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province. This rematch offers China a shot at redemption and crucial preparation ahead of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025.
Basketball enthusiasts can look forward to the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025, taking place in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, from July 13 to 20.
