Wang Siyu (R) of China competes during the women's basketball match of
Australia women's basketball team shone bright on home turf with a commanding 94-66 win against China on Wednesday, as Paris Olympics draws near.
A star-studded Australia team saw five of 12 players reach double figures, including four-time Olympic medalist Lauren Jackson, who bagged 13 points and delivered seven free throws from eight attempts.
For China, 28-year-old guard Wang Siyu claimed a game-high 21 points and grabbed five rebounds, while towering center Han Xu finished with 11 rebounds and 11 points. 22-year-old rising star Yang Shuyu also impressed with 11 points.
Wang wasted no time in scoring the first basket for China with an early dunk in the first minute. Australia soon tipped the scales in their favor by unleashing a powerful offense in the paint and sinking three-pointers.
With just under two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Yang was substituted in before nailing a three-point buzzer-beater to help China cut the deficit to five points. However, Australia maintained their momentum, extending their lead to 45-36 by halftime.
In the second half, China struggled to mount a comeback, while Australia's multiple sharpshooters continued to send the home crowd into raptures with three-pointers.
A total of 16 turnovers throughout the clash also crushed China's hope of overcoming their in-form opponents, who made just six.
On Friday evening, John Caine Arena in Melbourne will play host to a second head-to-head between China and Australia.
