by Chen Hui Jing
The Guangzhou Youth team wins the inaugural women's title for the Malaysia International Basketball Championships after winning their final game against the Home United Basketball Club, 83-61.
Home United managed to keep the game close for a while, and Yao Xiuxiu tied the game with a 3-point play at the 4:19 mark of the first quarter.
However, the Chinese were shooting the ball very well, and an 11 point effort from Yang Li Wei gave the Guangzhou team a 12-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Home United team tightened up their defense in the second quarter and managed to the force the Chinese team to turn the ball over, and the lead was cut to 6 halfway through the second quarter. However, the Home United girls seem to lose their shooting touch and the Chinese regained their 12-point lead by halftime.
Both teams traded baskets in the third quarter and the Chinese were unable to extend their lead past 11.
The Guangzhou girls started the fourth quarter with a full-court press managed to score off a few Home United turnovers. Home United, who did not shoot the ball particularly well today, could not catch up to the Guangzhou girls who won the game and the championship with a score of 83-61.
Three Guangzhou players scored in double-figures, with center, Yu Dong leading the way off a 22 point, 7 rebound performance. Yang Li Wei scored 17 points off 7-for-11 shooting from the field and Pei Yu Ying added 15 points.
The Home United side also saw three players with double-digit scoring. Yao Xiuxiu led the team with 16 points. Cheryl Poon contributed 11 points and Kono Megumi chipped in with 10 points. |
