Final: Australia, Japan and China finish on the podium

BENGALURU (FIBA U16 Women's Asia Championship 2017) - China joined Australia and Japan on the podium after disposing of New Zealand, while Korea and Thailand ended their campaigns with morale-boosting wins.

Australia pulled the rug from under Japan in the Final, 61-60, to be crowned champions of the FIBA U16 Women's Asia Championship. Japan led by as many as 13 points in this game, but the Australians proved to be the more composed team in the fourth quarter. Isabel Palmer stepped up for Australia with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, while Agnes Emma-Nnopu backstopped her well with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks. Aika Hirashita top-scored for Japan with 15 points.

China bounced back from a tough Semi-Final loss to Australia by clobbering New Zealand, 60-43. Nobody could stop Liu Yutong in this one as the 1.95m center tossed in 17 points on top of 15 rebounds to carry the fight for China. Star New Zealand player Charlisse Leger-Walker was held to only 9 points in this game, while Briarley Rogers had a dozen points to lead the U16 Tall Ferns. This result meant that China finish the competition at third place.

In the classification games, Korea used a strong finishing kick to vanquish Chinese Taipei, 69-52, for fifth place, while Thailand avoided relegation after besting Hong Kong, 83-59.

RESULTS:

Thailand beat Hong Kong, 83-59
Korea beat Chinese Taipei, 69-52
China beat New Zealand, 60-43
Australia beat Japan, 61-60

FIBA