Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022: China thrash Bosnia and Herzegovina, but first real test awaits vs United States
- Zheng Wei’s side make it two wins from two games in group A in Sydney on Friday, with dominant US next up
- Three-time defending champs hammer Puerto Rico 106-42, for 24th consecutive win at the World Cup – a run stretching back to 2010
China kept up their 100 per cent record at the 2022 Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup on Friday, sweeping aside Bosnia and Herzegovina 98-51 – but the first real test awaits them in the form of three-time defending champs the US on Saturday.
Zheng Wei’s side led 26-21 after the first quarter in Sydney, before they extended their advantage to 19 points at half-time, and wrapped up another comfortable victory after trouncing South Korea 107-44 in Thursday’s opener.
Five Chinese players hit double figures in their second outing in Australia – Han Xu led the team with 18 points, while Li Meng added another 17 points.
Earlier, the US continued their quest for a fourth straight title by thrashing Puerto Rico, while Serbia upset Olympic silver medallists Japan.
The Americans won 106-42 to make it two wins from two games in Group A as they target an 11th overall crown, after easing past a strong Belgium on the opening day of the 10-day championships.
The US shot 54 per cent from the field with Shakira Austin, Kahleah Copper, Brionna Jones, Jewell Loyd, Breanna Stewart and Alyssa Thomas all in double figures.
“Defensively, again, led by Alyssa with six steals, I think we were just really hard to play against,” coach Cheryl Reeve said. “We also had a bench that was really, really good.”
