SYDNEY (AP) — Han Xu scored 19 points and Huang Sijing hit two free throws with 3.4 seconds left to lift China to the gold medal game of the women’s World Cup with a 61-59 win over host Australia on Friday night.
China will play the U.S. for a gold medal on Saturday. China is guaranteed of its first medal since 1994 when the country won its only silver.
With the game tied at 59 with 46 seconds left, Cayla George missed a shot from the top of the key as the shot clock ran out giving the ball back to China setting up the chance.
After China worked the clock down, Huang was fouled on the wing and calmly sank both free throws.
Australia had one last chance, but Ezi Magbegor’s layup was short at the buzzer.
There was an electric atmosphere for the entire game as the crowd of nearly 12,000 fans was evenly split cheering on both teams. Every basket drew a roar from one of the fan bases.
The game was back and forth with neither team getting more than an eight-point advantage. The fourth quarter kept the crowd entertained.
Han, China’s 6-foot-10 center, was dominant on both ends of the court. She helped stake China to a 36-30 lead at the break with 13 points. Australia (5-2) hung around though and took the lead with on Steph Talbot’s layup with 4:41 left. The game went back and forth after that until the last few seconds.
Han finished the game with 11 rebounds and five blocks.
China was missing its star guard Li Meng, who sat out the game with what Chinese media reported as having a fever due to body fatigue.
UP NEXT:
China: plays for a gold medal Saturday. The Chinese team gave the U.S. its tightest game of the tournament, falling 77-63.
Australia: play for a bronze medal Saturday against Canada, which the Opals beat 75-72.
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