BENGALURU (FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship 2017) – Australia defeated Japan 61-60 in a thrilling final game to claim FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship 2017. Ballarat’s Georgia Amoore shone with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in the championship game. China won the Bronze over New Zealand in an easy 60-43 victory.
Japan led by as many as 13 points in this game, even holding a 3-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but the Australians proved to be the more composed team in the clutch. The Sapphires outscored the Akatsuki Five, 29-19, in the entire second half to pull the rug from under the Japanese and annex their first every U16 Women’s Asia Championship crown.
Three time Champions China won the Bronze medal after beating New Zealand 60-43. After struggling mightily against Australia, Liu Yutong bounced back strong here, dropping 17 points and hauling down 15 rebounds for the Chinese. Zheng Ming gave her able support with 20 points.
In the classification games, Korea used a strong finishing kick to vanquish Chinese Taipei, 69-52, for fifth place, while Thailand avoided relegation after besting Hong Kong, 83-59. As a result Hong Kong has been relegated to Division B for the upcoming FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship and will be replaced by India, who beat Malaysia in the Division B Final.