SHENZHEN (China) - A Semi-Final ticket is now within reach as Australia put on yet another mighty showing to beat Korea, 85-52, and stay unbeaten in the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup, Tuesday at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Center.
Coming off a 124-38 crushing of Malaysia, the Gems needed little time to get going, eventually chalking up their second win in as many games to remain atop Group A.
Game heroes: Lara Somfai came up big once more as she finished with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds for an efficiency of 26.
Bonnie Deas had 19 points as well. Sienna Harvey made 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Monique Bobongue submitted a full stat line as she registered 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block in 25 minutes of play.
Turning point: The Koreans actually scored the game's first 6 points, but Somfai and Co. began to buckling down for work and eventually put together the telling 18-2 run to take the lead with under three minutes to go in the first quarter.
It would be all Australia the rest of the way as the opposition could hardly execute on both ends of the floor, which the former took full advantage of.
Stats don't lie: The defending champions haven't lost in the U18 meet since a 90-77 defeat at the hands of Japan in the Semis of the 2018 edition in India.
Since that result, the Gems have built an 8-game winning streak, and could extend as much against Chinese Taipei on June 26 at 14:00 local time. Should they win, they would also book a ticket to the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup next year.
FIBA