In a high-stakes Group B clash at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Chinese squad dropped their third straight game, falling 99-82 to a red-hot Slovenia on Tuesday.
The Chinese squad opened the contest with a 6-0 surge sparked by guards Zhu Zheng, Huan Sinan and Zhang Boyuan, racing to an 11-5 advantage. Two-pointers from Zhang and Chen Jiazheng extended the early lead to 17-8 by the end of the first quarter.
Slovenia flipped the momentum with a 10-0 response, seizing control for good. Shooting stars Leon Ivicic and Urban Kroflic torched the rim from beyond the arc (hitting five-of-eight and four-of-four from three-point range respectively), igniting a 13-0 run in the second quarter and a 10-0 burst in the third. Their combined 36 points helped Slovenia pull away to a game-high 71-43 advantage.
Although China rallied late thanks to efforts by Ao Feng and Huan Sinan (who each poured in 12 points), the deficit proved too steep. The final score settled at 99-82, marking China's third consecutive defeat in pool play.
Despite the setback, the Chinese squad advances to the round of 16 and will face New Zealand on Wednesday in a knockout duel. With elimination on the line, China must regroup quickly and tap into its early-game energy to keep its championship aspirations alive.
Reference(s):
China suffer third straight loss in Switzerland at FIBA U19 World Cup
cgtn.com
