Li Yueru hit two free throws with 0.6 seconds left, and China developed to the Olympic quarterfinals by preserving off a furious rally by Australia 76-74 on Friday evening.
China led 61-50 with 7: 09 left on a layup by Wang Siyu. Then the Opals stormed aid, and Jenna O’Hea knocked down aid-to-aid 3s tying it at 75 with 2.1 seconds remaining.
Cayla George fouled Li beneath the basket, and Li made both free throws to ship the Chinese language gamers operating onto the court docket to celebrate.
China’s Yueru Li (14) celebrates with teammates against Australia at some point of a ladies’s basketball preliminary spherical game at the 2020 Summer season Olympics in Saitama, Japan, Friday, July 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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With Yao Ming, president of the Chinese language Basketball Affiliation, looking at from the bench within the aid of the coaches, China (2-0) has a berth secured within the knockout spherical after opening Neighborhood C play routing Puerto Rico.
Wang led China with 20 points. Li Yueru performed with 12, Li Meng added 11, and Yang Liwei had 10.
Australia, 2nd easiest to the U.S. in FIBA’s world rankings with 5 WNBA gamers on the roster, now would possibly per chance be 0-2 with easiest one game remaining in pool play. The Opals, taking part in with out WNBA well-known particular person Liz Cambage, had been routed by Olympic newcomer Belgium in its opener.
Stephanie Talbot, who plays with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, grow to be as soon as aid first and vital lineup for Australia after missing the Olympic opener with an injured foot. Early within the third quarter, she grow to be as soon as strolling along the end line and didn’t play after halftime.
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A collision within the first quarter despatched Katie Ebzery to the locker room for stitches on her left eyelid, whereas Wang had her shiny foreheadbandaged on the sideline.
Ezi Magbegor led Australia with 15 points. O’Hea performed with 11, and George had 10.
Australia plays Puerto Rico and China faces Belgium on Monday to wrap pool play.
