Australia beats Japan to claim maiden FIBA Women’s Asia Cup

Australia survived a late comeback by Japan to win the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup for the first time on Sunday. The Opals, runners up to Japan in 2017, triumphed 88 - 79 at the Shenzhen Sports Centre in southern China. Australia, which previously defeated its Japanese rival 79 - 67 in the group stages, led from the start and built an 11-point lead by half time. But six-time Asian champion Japan rallied in the final quarter with power forward Yuki Miyazawa (183-F-1993, college: Queens, NY) at one stage netting three unanswered 3-pointers in a row to level the scores with seven minutes on the clock. A pair of missed free throws by Japan and crucial baskets from Australian stars Alexandra Fowler (188-F-2001, college: Portland) and Alex Wilson (175-G-1994) helped the Opals edge away as time ticked away for an increasingly desperate Japanese side. Australian celebrations began with the buzzer as the team ranked second in FIBA’s world rankings finally ended its Asia Cup trophy drought. Fowler, named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, top-scored for her side with 15 points, while Wilson and point guard Stephanie Reid (168-G-1996, college: Buffalo) chipped in with 14 and 13 points respectively. Teenage sensation Kokoro Tanaka (171-SG-2006), who made 27 points in Japan’s semifinal downing of hosts China, had to settle for silver despite another impressive display where she ended with 21 points and nine assists. Earlier on Sunday, a powerful performance from 2.26m (7ft 5in) Ziyu Zhang (223-C-2007) helped China thrash South Korea 101 - 66 in the third-place playoff. The giant 18-year-old centre managed 18 points and seven rebounds as the host maintained its record of consecutive podium finishes at the biennial event, a run which stretches back to 1976.
Courtesy of: sportstar.thehindu.com