FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024: India's impressive run ends in quarterfinals against China

It was India’s best performance in eight years.

China took a major step in their goal of reclaiming the gold as they punched their ticket to the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 Semi-Finals following a wire-to-wire 89-43 victory over India, Saturday at the Prince Hamza Hall.

Hungry to end what has been a 10-year title drought, the young Team Dragon needed only little time to take control of the match against the surprise squad of this year’s tournament on their way to their third Semis appearance in a row.

Not only did they book a return trip to the Semis, but the Chinese have secured as well a spot to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 in Switzerland.

Liu Li led the pack with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Chen Jiazheng made 13 points while Zhang Boyuan and Zhang Huafei chimed in 11 points apiece as all 11 players contributed at least 3 points in the dominant victory.

Chen himself only nailed a triple the whole game but that was actually the game’s opening basket, which also triggered a 7-0 start for his team. The others would help out afterward, and Team China would eventually build an 18-2 lead, marking the start of a one-sided affair in favor of the powerhouse.

Collective effort on offense was indeed the difference in the rout as China collected 25 assists, which were 16 more than what their foes had. The way they shared the wealth led to better looks. They shot 47.9 percent from the floor.

For India it was there best showing in the tournament after Eight long years after India stunned heavy favorites Lebanon, 64-62, to secure their ticket to the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 Quarter-Finals, Friday at the Prince Hamza Hall.

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