Samoa are through to the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup Division B Semi-Finals after a convincing win over the Maldives, 94-31.
Samoa mixed it up from the onset with the traditional staring five benched and Caprice Hiko, Mylaani Sione, Leah Ah-Ken, Veruna Ah-Hoy and Kiana Au leading the way.
Finishing with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 8 steals, Leah Ah-Ken had a point to prove showing how far her development has come during this tournament. While Mylaani Sione was strong throughout, to finish with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists.
Leading the competition for free throws, running at 100 percent accuracy, Tereise Reupena impressed with an incredible 11 steals, 10 points, and 9 rebounds.
"It was a great game, fun to have a run and got more (steals) than I expected," Leise (Reupena) said. She comments how a the rest day was welcomed "It helped a lot, we were really fatigued, our bodies were tired, we got some massages and it really helped."
"We are moving forward, learning from the past and now concentrating on the next game against the Philippines, we have a strong winning mindset. This has been a fun tournament for me, playing with a bunch of different girls against some great teams, it's been really good," Leise concluded.
Samoa will now shape up to take on the undefeated Philippines in the semi-finals. Both Samoa and the Philippines lost by one point in their semi final games at the 2022 FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup - Division B, Samoa against Mongolia and the Philippines against eventual winners, Malaysia.
Lebanon was triumphant over Hong Kong China, 64-41 to advance to a semi final showdown with Iran. Leading by 10 at half time, Lebanon put their foot on the gas in the third quarter to stretch that lead to 20 at the final break.
Reem El Ghali from finished with a double-double, 16 rebounds, and 14 points while running at an efficiency of 25.
FIBA