The Chinese women’s basketball team kicked off their World Cup qualifier preparations with a hard-fought 74-69 overtime victory over Brazil in Changsha on Wednesday. Fans witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions in this Hunan showdown.
Tied early, China dominated the second quarter, holding Brazil to 11 while Wang Siyu dazzled with 6-for-6 shooting and 13 points, leading to a 39-26 break.
Up 55-40 entering the fourth, China faltered, scoring just nine as Brazil equalized at 64-64 on a dramatic three-pointer, necessitating overtime. Chang Jie rose to the occasion, powering China to triumph.
Coach Kong Luming called these matches vital for rhythm-building. The rivals meet again Friday ahead of the March 11-17 qualifiers in Wuhan. China’s group pits them against Brazil, Belgium, South Sudan, Czech Republic, and Mali in a grueling battle.