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E-mail Xinhua, June 27, 2024
Zhang Ziyu, 17, scored a tournament-high 44 points to help China beat Japan 97-81 and reach the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup semifinals on Wednesday.
The win also gifted China the ticket to the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup next year in the Czech Republic.
Zhang missed only twice in her 22 shots from the field to break the tournament's all-time scoring record of 39 points set by Chinese Taipei's Hsiao YuWen in 2022.
"Our team was united as one tonight. I feel very happy and exited to break the record," Zhang said.
Holding a slender 44-41 advantage after second quarter, China stormed to an 8-0 run thanks to Zhang's six points in a row. China ensured the win after establishing a 20-point lead with eight minutes to go.
In Group A, Australia beat Chinese Taipei 90-76 to join China in the semis. South Korea eased past Malaysia 75-35, and New Zealand defeated Indonesia 70-50.
The other two semi spots will go to the winners of South Korea vs. New Zealand and Japan vs. Chinese Taipei.
