Kim Dan-bi helps South Korea seize William Jones title

Dan-Bi Kim

South Korea's women captured the William Jones Cup title by edging Taiwan A 64-63 in the dying seconds, while Japan secured second place, devastating Thailand 90-34 in final-day results from New Taipei City's Sinjhuang Gymnasium yesterday. Forward Kim Dan-Bi (176-F-91) was brilliant in directing the offense and in the key play of the game she dribbled past Taiwan players under the post for a lay-up with four seconds left for the win. Kim led her team with 19 points, while teammate Yoon Mi-Ji (171-G-88) contributed 17. South Korea ended with four wins and one loss in the tournament, their only blemish a 63-55 defeat to the US side on Friday.
Taiwan A were behind for most of the game, but chased South Korea all the way and leveled at 60-60 down the stretch, but they missed key baskets in the final minute. With the loss, Taiwan A claimed fourth place, with their 3-2 record matching the US in third. Japanese starting center Akaho Sakura had a stellar double-double performance, with a game-high 17 points to go with 11 rebounds. Team Japan's free-wheeling offense and fast pace were too much for Thailand to handle. They netted 17 points in the first quarter, then exploded for 30 in the second quarter to gallop away with a 47-13 lead at halftime. In the second half, the Japan cagers cruised, piling on another 43 markers for a 56-point victory.
Three Japan players came off the bench to combine for 40 points - Nemoto Haruno and Yunika Nakamura (177-PF-95) sinking 15 each and Ikeya Yuki netting 10. Thailand starting forward Surin Nutthamon accounted for nearly one-third of her squad's output, scoring 10 points.
Another exciting contest was between US-Overtake and Taiwan B, with both sides fighting tooth and nail, exchanging the lead several times and going into overtime. US-Overtake went in front 39-34 at halftime, but in a see-saw battle, Taiwan B fought back to post 23 points to 15 for the US in the fourth quarter, locking the scores at 71 at the end of regulation.
The hosts could not sustain their momentum, as the US netted 13 in overtime, while Taiwan B managed 11, giving the visitors an 86-84 win. US player Alysha Harvin (178-G-88, college: Florida St.) came off the bench to score 23 points, while Harris Marquisha grabbed a game-high 22 rebounds.
Courtesy of: taipeitimes.com