In a riveting WCBA showdown, Dongguan secured a 90-83 road victory over reigning champions Sichuan, bringing them to one win away from the coveted title. This impressive triumph marks Dongguan's first finals appearance in six years, and the balanced scoring from five key players energized fans and elevated the team's prospects.
Yang Shuyu led the charge with 23 points, while Yang Liwei and Aliyah Collier added 20 and 18 points respectively. The game set the stage early as both teams traded blows, tying 24-24 in the first quarter. With strategic plays from all sides, the teams remained deadlocked at 44-44 at halftime.
The momentum shifted in the final quarter when Yang Liwei’s buzzer-beating three-pointer provided Dongguan with a slender lead. A critical layup midway through the fourth period pushed the advantage to 11 points, allowing Dongguan to secure the win with a disciplined defensive effort.
Sichuan coach Milos Paden acknowledged the challenging performance of his team, remarking, "We rushed, we panicked, and we worked for them." Meanwhile, Dongguan coach-player Huang Sijing expressed her pride in her team's performance: "I just told my players to enjoy this stage and show their best, and they did, which made me quite proud. Facing such a strong opponent as Sichuan, we need to go all out and learn from them."
Despite Sichuan's best efforts, standout scorer Jonquel Jones, who shot 13 of 17 from the field for 31 points, could not avert the loss. Reflecting on the game, Jones noted, "One team looks like a team, and one team looks like individuals. The good thing about basketball and the series is that you have another game to fix it, to win, and to change the series."
All eyes are now on the upcoming Game 3, set to be held on Sichuan's home court on Thursday, as both teams prepare to recalibrate and vie for the championship.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
