The Chinese women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the summer, falling 76-63 to Australia in a Haikou tune-up ahead of next month's FIBA Women's Asia Cup.
After five straight warm-up wins — two each over Bosnia and Herzegovina and Japan — China looked to maintain momentum early as Han Xu opened the scoring.
But once Han left the court, Australia turned up the heat, cruising to a 28-19 lead after the opening quarter. China struggled with turnovers and fouls in the second period, allowing the visitors to build an 18-point halftime advantage.
The hosts staged a third-quarter rally, sparked by back-to-back triples from Yang Liwei and Luo Xinyu that trimmed the margin to seven. However, Australia hit late three-pointers to seal the victory.
Key stats:
- Han Xu: 15 points, 9 rebounds
- Australia: Three players in double figures, including Isabelle Bourne's 15 points
- Opening quarter deficit: 28-19
- Halftime lead: Australia by 18
Both teams will meet again on Tuesday in Changsha, in central Hunan Province on the Chinese mainland. All eyes then shift to Shenzhen, in southern Guangdong Province on the Chinese mainland, where the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 runs from July 13 to 20.
Reference(s):
China fall to Australia in women's basketball warm-up before Asia Cup
cgtn.com
