China Women opened their Asian Games women's basketball campaign with a commanding 77-65 victory over Chinese Taipei Women on September 26, 2026, at the Asian Games basketball venue in Nagoya, Japan. The defending champions used a decisive third-quarter surge to break open a close game, pulling away for a 12-point win that underlined their depth and size advantage in the paint.

Match Overview

The final score of 77-65 flattered Chinese Taipei slightly, as China controlled the second half after a tight opening 20 minutes. Chinese Taipei came out with energy and precision from beyond the arc, but China’s interior dominance and balanced scoring eventually wore down their opponents.

China led 37-33 at halftime, but a 22-14 third-quarter run turned a four-point edge into a 59-47 cushion heading into the final period. Chinese Taipei never recovered, despite a spirited fourth-quarter effort that kept the margin from growing further.

Key Moments

• Early back-and-forth: Chinese Taipei hit three triples in the first quarter, briefly taking a 12-10 lead before China closed the period on a 10-3 run.
• Third-quarter explosion: China opened the second half with a 12-2 surge, capped by a Han Xu put-back and a Li Meng fast-break layup, pushing the lead to 49-35.
• Defensive clampdown: Chinese Taipei went nearly four minutes without a field goal midway through the third, allowing China to build an insurmountable advantage.
• Late push: Chinese Taipei’s Peng Shih-ching scored eight straight points early in the fourth to cut the deficit to 12, but China answered with back-to-back baskets from Li Yueru to seal the win.

Tactical Story

China’s game plan was clear from the opening tip: pound the ball inside and dominate the glass. With Li Yueru and Han Xu patrolling the paint, China out-rebounded Chinese Taipei 44-28 and scored 42 points in the key. Chinese Taipei tried to counter with a spread offense and quick three-point shooting, which kept them within striking distance for a half.

However, China’s coaching staff adjusted defensively after halftime, switching to a compact 2-3 zone that clogged driving lanes and forced Chinese Taipei into contested jumpers. The result was a 5-of-18 shooting performance from beyond the arc in the second half for Chinese Taipei, compared to 6-of-12 in the first half. Offensively, China slowed the tempo and fed the post relentlessly, drawing fouls and generating high-percentage looks.

Chinese Taipei’s speed and perimeter ball movement were impressive in spurts, but they lacked the size to match China’s frontcourt. Their best stretch came in the second quarter when they used a 1-3-1 trap to force three turnovers and briefly take a 31-30 lead. But China’s half-court execution and offensive rebounding (14 second-chance points) proved too much to overcome.

Standout Players

• Li Yueru (China): 22 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks. The center was unstoppable in the paint, shooting 9-of-13 from the field and drawing seven fouls.
• Han Xu (China): 16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks. Her length altered countless shots and she hit a key mid-range jumper during the decisive third-quarter run.
• Li Meng (China): 14 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds. The veteran guard controlled the tempo and knocked down two crucial three-pointers.
• Peng Shih-ching (Chinese Taipei): 18 points, 5 assists, 3 steals. She was the engine of her team’s offense, attacking the basket and hitting tough floaters.
• Huang Ling-chuan (Chinese Taipei): 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks. She battled valiantly inside against China’s taller frontcourt.

What It Means for the Standings

With the win, China Women improve to 2-0 in Group A of the Asian Games women's basketball tournament, solidifying their position atop the standings. Chinese Taipei falls to 1-1, still very much in contention for a quarterfinal berth. The top four teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, and Chinese Taipei’s remaining games against lower-ranked opponents give them a strong chance to secure a spot.

For China, the victory reinforces their status as gold-medal favorites. They have now won their last 12 Asian Games matches, dating back to the 2010 Guangzhou Games, and are chasing a seventh consecutive continental title. Their balanced attack and defensive versatility make them a tough matc