In Lausanne, Team China edged out Cameroon 81-77 to clinch 13th place at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.
The game was a rollercoaster. China led 41-40 at halftime, but Cameroon rallied with a 5-point swing early in the third quarter. Guard Chen Jiazheng and forward Zhang Boyuan answered with consecutive three-pointers, trimming the lead to 60-58 after three.
China opened the final quarter with a 5-0 run, reclaiming the lead. A pivotal screening foul gave Cameroon's Gedeon Basson a chance at a three-point play, nudging his side ahead. In the dying seconds, Zhang drew a foul and calmly sank two free throws, sealing an 81-77 victory.
Team China finishes with a 2-5 record. After placing fourth in Group B—following losses to Canada, Germany and Slovenia—they fell to New Zealand in the round of 16. In classification play, a defeat to France was followed by a 97-78 win over Jordan—China's first win—before the final triumph against Cameroon.
- Overall record: 2-5
- Group B: 4th place
- Key players: Chen Jiazheng, Zhang Boyuan
- Final standing: 13th out of 16 teams
The squad's late-game resilience offers a glimpse into the future of youth basketball on the Chinese mainland.
Reference(s):
Team China finish 13th at FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, USA win title
cgtn.com
