New York Liberty center Han Xu played a pivotal role in keeping China’s women’s basketball team in contention for an Olympic medal. Han’s near double-double performance off the bench was instrumental in China’s 80-58 triumph over Puerto Rico during the final group play game in Lille.
Dominating the Court
Liberty center Han Xu, standing at 6-foot-11, showcased her prowess with a game-high nine rebounds and ten points. Her efforts were crucial in reversing China’s fortunes after losing the first two games in Group A. Despite these setbacks, the win against Puerto Rico boosted China’s chances of advancing to the knockout stage.
China’s Path to Advancement
China’s victory improved their standing to 1-2 in Group A. Although Spain and Serbia have secured the top two advancement spots, China is vying for one of the two remaining slots reserved for the best third-place teams. With a point differential of minus-1, China is currently in a strong position among the third-place contenders.
Puerto Rico initially took a 3-0 lead thanks to Brianna Jones, but China quickly responded with a 7-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Li Meng. Li, formerly with the Washington Mystics, led China with 18 points and seven assists. Another 7-0 run at the start of the second period solidified China’s lead, which never fell below 10 points for the remainder of the game.
Puerto Rico’s Struggle and China’s Historical Quest
The defeat marked the end of Puerto Rico’s second Olympic basketball run, with a record of 0-3. Arella Guirantes, a Rutgers alumna and Long Island native, led Puerto Rico with 20 points.
China, ranked second in the latest FIBA women’s basketball rankings, is aiming for its first Olympic podium finish since winning silver in Barcelona in 1992. The win against Puerto Rico is a significant step towards that goal, demonstrating the team’s resilience and determination.
China’s performance in the knockout rounds will be crucial as they strive to secure an Olympic medal. With Han Xu and Li Meng leading the charge, China has the potential to make a deep run in the tournament, bringing pride to their nation and fans.
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