Red-hot Korea do enough to survive late comeback from Great Britain

BELGRADE (Serbia) - Korea are on the verge of making it to the Tokyo 2020 Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament after holding off a late surge from Great Britain to prevail 82-79 in Belgrade.

Turning Point: Back-to-back three-pointer sparked an early 8-0 run for Korea and that would prove a common theme throughout as their outside shooting pulled them clear on route to victory. However, they were given a late scare as Great Britain recovered from trailing 79-61 with an 18-2 before coming up agonizingly short.

Game Hero: Leeseul Kang was the architect of the downfall for Great Britain with a 5-of-5 start from three-point range on her way to a team-high 26 points in a full 40-minute effort as Korea only ran with six players in the contest.

Stats Don't Lie: Korea did the damage from beyond the arc with a 7-of-10 start from three-point range. They still finished at 59 percent to establish a commanding lead that left Team GB too much to do in the fourth quarter, despite a valiant attempt.

Bottom Line: This was always seen as the game likely to determine third spot and the group and Korea are on the brink of joining China in Tokyo. A golden chance spurned for Great Britain, who now have to pick themselves up and defeat Spain on Sunday to advance.

 
FIBA