China’s Overtime Triumph
China secured a thrilling 74-70 overtime victory over the Czech Republic in the Women’s Basketball World Cup, a result that kept its Group D hopes alive.
Han Xu was the catalyst for China’s comeback, pouring in 22 points and helping the team tie the game at 53-53 with under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter.
Yang Shuyu added crucial scoring, and together they forced a tie that led to overtime, where Yang Shuyu ultimately delivered the winning basket.
Eliška Joklová had put the Czechs ahead at 64-59 with just 27 seconds left, but Luo Xinyu and Yang Shuyu answered to knot the score at 64-64, forcing the extra period.
Despite the presence of towering 7‑foot‑3 center Zhang Ziyu, who managed only three points in her second game, China relied on perimeter firepower to clinch the win.
The victory sets up a decisive Monday showdown with Italy, a match that will determine second place in Group D and potentially shape the knockout bracket.
Group Stage Momentum
The Czech Republic, now facing elimination after two straight losses, must win its final group game against the United States to stay alive in the tournament.
Later that evening, the United States faced Italy, with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers aiming to extend their unbeaten streak to 32 games since the 2006 World Cup semifinal.
Australia continued its dominant run, defeating Turkey 87-71, highlighted by Ezi Magbegor’s 21 points, while Turkey’s Sevgi Uzun fought back from an early eight‑point deficit before ultimately falling short.
Australia’s roster features seven World Cup debutants, but captain Sami Whitcomb withdrew due to a lingering knee injury, leaving the team to navigate the remainder of the group stage without its leader.
The Aussies will meet Belgium on Monday in a battle for direct qualification to the quarterfinals as the group winner, while Belgium’s earlier encounter with Puerto Rico added further intrigue to the group standings.
Puerto Rico’s game against Belgium, though less highlighted, contributed to the rich tapestry of competition that defined the day’s action across multiple continents.