China’s women’s basketball team lost 88-77 to Nigeria in a warmup game in Foshan on Wednesday, with Zhang Ziyu and Wang Siyu sidelined by injuries, to finish the three-game series with two wins and one loss.
China struggled from the tip-off, with Liu Yutong repeatedly having her drives and face-up attempts blocked and the team unable to find its shooting rhythm from beyond the arc. China made just two 3-pointers in the first half, shooting 16.7 percent from 3-point range.
Nigeria quickly found its rhythm, knocking down five 3-pointers in the opening quarter, led by forward Elizabeth Balogun. Nigeria then stepped up its defensive pressure and accelerated in transition to build a commanding 58-29 halftime lead.
China improved after the break, launching a 10-2 run led by Chen Mingling while limiting the impact of Nigeria’s starting point guard Ezinne Kalu. Zhang Manman and Yang Shuyu then hit difficult 3-pointers to cut the deficit to 10 points.
China, however, committed two turnovers at a crucial stage, allowing Nigeria to capitalize on fast-break opportunities and stabilize its lead. Nigeria eventually held on for the 88-77 victory.
Nigeria led by as many as 31 points, with Balogun scoring a game-high 26. Yang led China with 23 points and six assists, while Deng Yuting added 12.
China head coach Gong Luming said after the game that Zhang Ziyu had suffered an ankle sprain in the previous warmup game, while Wang had also sustained a muscle strain. The two were kept out of the game as a precaution and to give younger players more opportunities, he said.
China spent most of the game without a traditional center. Gong said he refers to the lineup as the “five mid-size lineup,” adding that the team’s defense with the lineup is relatively mature, while its offense still lacks enough scoring options.
“Regardless of the lineup, we want to play at a faster pace. Without speed, there is no soul. We hope to work more on this aspect in the future,” Gong said.
After completing the three-game series against Nigeria, China will return to training camp in Beijing before heading to Europe in late August for several warmup games as part of its final preparations for the World Cup.
The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will be held in Berlin, Germany, from Sept. 4 to 13. China has been drawn into Group D alongside the United States, the Czech Republic and Italy. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
