The South Korea women's basketball team, which saw a spectacular performance in three-point shooting, secured its first victory in the Asia Cup.
The women's basketball team, led by coach Park Soo-ho, defeated New Zealand 78-76 in the first match of Group A of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025, held at the Shenzhen Sports Center in China. South Korea, which is in Group A along with China, Indonesia, and New Zealand, has overcome an important hurdle.
Against New Zealand, which has superior physical conditions, South Korea started Ahn Hye-ji, Kang Yi-seul, Choi Yi-saem, Park Ji-hyun, and Park Ji-su. The 198 cm tall Park Ji-su could not avoid struggles against the tall New Zealand players.
The breakthrough came from three-point shooting. The ace Kang Yi-seul's three-point shot sparked a fierce chase by South Korea. In the second quarter, Choi Yi-saem, who entered as a substitute, also exploded, widening the score.
Leading 46-38 at halftime, South Korea continued to seize control. However, a variable arose when Kang Yi-seul, who had been performing well, injured her ankle in the third quarter. Kang Yi-seul left the court in a wheelchair.
In the fourth quarter, South Korea allowed a fierce chase and ultimately conceded a tying basket to Emilia Shearer with 12 seconds left. With only 10 seconds remaining, South Korea launched its final attack, and Park Ji-su's inside shot dramatically went in to decide the game.
Choi Yi-saem led the scoring with 23 points, including 5 of 9 from three-point range. Park Ji-hyun also performed strongly with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Kang Yi-seul contributed 19 points with a record of 6 of 13 from three-point range.
Park Ji-su had a relatively poor performance with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, but she played a pivotal role by scoring the game-winning shot.
Now South Korea will face China on the 15th. The 220 cm women's Yao Ming, Zhang Zhiwei (18), will meet South Korea for the first time with the adult national team. Park Ji-su's role is more important than ever.
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