Korea and Japan upset higher ranked Australia and China as Group phase action concludes

BENGALURU (FIBA U18 Women's Asian Championship 2018) – In an eventful round of final group phase action, Korea and Japan are directly through to the semifinals and have also secured berths in the 2019 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup.

Korea made history by posting its first ever win over Australia in the Asian Championship, beating the fancied Oceania side 63-62, in a thrilling Group A encounter.

Korea's swarming zone defense and tireless boxing out of the taller rivals restricted Australia to just 18 points in the first half. Korea led 27-18 at the half, before Australia's offense finally came alive in the third quarter. Korea still leading 61-48 midway through the fourth quarter, before the Gems made a spectacular 14-0 run to take a 63-62 lead. But with 8 seconds left for the final buzzer, Korea's 15-year-old center Haeran Lee knocked down the baseline jumper to secure the thrilling victory.

Later in the day, China and Japan stayed neck and neck in the first twenty minutes before Japan went on a decisive 29-16 third quarter run to seal the surprisingly comfortable 94-79 victory. Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei and New Zealand predictably dominated proceedings against Indonesia and Japan.

RESULTS

Korea bt Australia, 63-62
China bt Japan, 94-79
Chinese Taipei bt Indonesia, 99-54
New Zealand bt Malaysia, 99-32

 FIBA