'China Surpassed!' Lee So-hee explodes with 23 points + Lee Hae-ran shines... Kang Yi-seul overcomes nightmare of zero shots and sinks two clutch 3-pointers, leading Korea to the finals [Aichi Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korean women's basketball team has overcome even the wall of 'defending champion' China. They defeated China's towering height, anchored by '223cm monster center' Zhang Ziwai, to secure a thrilling comeback victory.

Under head coach Park Soo-ho, the Korean Yeo Ja-nong-gu (CEO) team defeated China 85-80 in the women's basketball semi-finals of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, Japan, on the 25th.

Korea has reached the Asian Games finals for the first time since the 2014 Incheon tournament, a span of 12 years.

Now, just one win stands between Korea and the gold medal. The women's basketball final for this tournament will be held on the 26th. Korea will face the winner of the Japan-Taiwan semi-final match for the gold medal.

On this day, Lee So-hee (Busan BNK) led the team to victory with 23 points, including five 3-pointers. Lee Hae-ran (Yongin Samsung Life) also contributed with 22 points and six rebounds. Heo Ye-eun (Cheongju KB) scored nine points, and Jin An (Bucheon Hana Bank) added eight points.

Team captain Kang Yi-seul also showcased her ace presence at crucial moments. Kang recorded 16 points, including two 3-pointers. The highlight came in the fourth quarter. Despite attempting eight 3-pointers over the first three quarters without making a single one, she sank consecutive outside shots at the most critical moment, laying the foundation for a dramatic turnaround.

As expected, it was not an easy match. China targeted the paint from the early stages of the game, leading with Zhang Ziwai. Relying on their overwhelming height, they recorded a high 2-point field goal percentage and pressured Korea.

However, Korea stood firm with its specialty of fast offense and aggressive drives.

Korea ended the first quarter trailing 17-19 but managed to take a 26-25 lead in the second quarter thanks to Lee So-hee's bold drive into the paint. After scoring, Lee So-hee roared loudly to boost the team's momentum.

However, China's height exerted its power again. Korea struggled to make outside shots and lost the rebound battle, falling behind 26-33 once more.

Still, they did not collapse easily. Lee Hae-ran made a jump shot, and Lee So-hee joined in scoring again, leading the comeback chase.

Towards the end of the second quarter, Heo Ye-eun sank an important 3-pointer to narrow the gap to 34-37. It was a precious shot from Korea's struggling perimeter offense.

Jin An also aggressively targeted the paint. After drawing a foul from the opponent, she made both free throws to bring the score to 36-39.

China added one more point before halftime, ending the first half at 36-41. However, Korea maintained a gap that allowed for a sufficient comeback.

Indeed, Korea's counterattack intensified in the third quarter. After Lee Hae-ran scored, Heo Ye-eun finished off a fast break to tie the game at 41-41. Then, Lee So-hee sank a 3-pointer to take a 44-43 lead and turn the tide of the match.

Although it seemed Korea had seized momentum, China once again targeted the paint with Zhang Ziwai leading the charge.

Korea did not back down either. After an organic passing play, Lee Hae-ran made a jump shot, and later drew a shooting foul against Zhang Ziwai, standing toe-to-toe with their opponent.

With 1 minute and 5 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Lee So-hee stepped up as the savior once more. Her bold 3-pointer from the perimeter went through the rim, tying the game at 61-61 for Korea.

However, China scored consecutive points toward the end of the period, and the third quarter ended with Korea trailing 61-65.

Facing a four-point deficit as they entered the final fourth quarter, Korea encountered another crisis. With China targeting the paint led by Zhang Ziwai, Korea fell behind 62-69, a seven-point gap.

At a moment when defeat seemed likely, captain Kang Yi-seul woke up. After missing all eight of her 3-point attempts through the first three quarters, Kang finally sank an outside shot to narrow the gap to 65-69.

The revived shooting touch immediately exploded again.

As Kang Yi-seul sank another 3-pointer, the score quickly narrowed to 68-69, just one point apart.

Defense also gained strength. Jung Hyun (Bucheon Hana Bank) cut off China's attack with a crucial block shot.

When China tried to pull away again, Choi Yi-saem stepped up this time. She made an important 3-pointer that had rarely fallen, adding momentum to Korea's comeback chase.

Having completely seized the momentum, Korea finally succeeded in taking the lead.

With Lee Hae-ran also sinking a 3-pointer, Korea took a 78-74 lead. Then, Lee So-hee made a decisive outside shot to secure the advantage.

In the end, Korea wore a smile of victory. Drawing fouls from China in the final moments, they grabbed a thrilling win and advanced to the finals.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.