TAIYUAN, China, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Sichuan Blue Whale defeated Dongguan Xinshiji 83-70 in the Under-18 women's basketball club tournament final at the second China Youth Games here on Sunday.
Chinese national youth team player Liu Yutong helped Sichuan push forward in the first quarter, while Dongguan players answered Liu with consecutive three-pointers. After drawing at 12-12, Tang Ziting contributed seven points plus one assist to her team, helping Sichuan lead by 21-14.
Dongguan had the upper hand when the sides made their substitutions. Hu Ke of Dongguan leveled the score at 24 apiece in the second quarter, but Tang and Chen Yuekun kept up their scoring to help Sichuan hold a six-point advantage at the break.
Dongguan made their long-range shooting show in the third quarter, turning the table to 47-46 through six three-pointers. Sichuan kept the game tight with Liu and Tang contributing points. The title favorites were only two points behind before the final quarter.
2.05 meter tall, Liu Yutong, was the deciding figure in the last period. She spearheaded Sichuan's attack in the fourth quarter with 10 points and caused her marker Guo Muyao to be fouled out before the final whistle. With falling three-pointers accuracy, Dongguan lost the chance at gold, with the game finishing 83-70.
"I'd like to thank my players because they continued to concentrate with good tactical discipline during the difficult minutes," Sichuan coach Yang Yi said.
Yang also hoped that the rising stars in his team, Liu and Tang, could earn their places in China's women basketball squad in the future.
In the third-place game, Beijing Ducks beat Changsha Ya'ao 72-55.
In the Under-16 women's basketball club tournament, Zhejiang Chouzhou beat Taiyuan Elites 78-55 to claim the title on Saturday.
