Members of team China celebrate after winning the semifinal match against Australia at Women's basketball World cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, Sept 30, 2022. (HU JINGCHEN / XINHUA)

Heroic effort sees team beat host to guarantee medal

Team China's heroes hoisted coach Zheng Wei, tossing her into the air after pulling off a thrilling victory over host Australia.

Han Xu had 19 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks to lead China (6-1), which will face the United States in the gold-medal game on Saturday

The jubilant scenes of celebration in Sydney were understandable. China is now guaranteed its first medal in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup since 1994 after the 61-59 win over the Opals on Friday night in the semifinals.

Han Xu had 19 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks to lead China (6-1), which will face the United States in the gold-medal game on Saturday. The two teams played earlier in the tournament and China gave the Americans their closest game, losing by only 14 points.

"I'm proud of my team," said Han, who was serenaded with MVP chants after the win.

With the game tied at 59 with 46 seconds left, Cayla George missed a shot from the top of the key as the shot clock ran out, crucially giving the ball back to China.

With the game tied at 59 with 46 seconds left, Cayla George missed a shot from the top of the key as the shot clock ran out, crucially giving the ball back to China

After China worked the clock down, Huang Sijing was fouled and calmly sank both free throws.

Australia had one last opportunity, but Ezi Magbegor's layup was short at the buzzer.

There was an electric atmosphere for the entire game as the crowd of nearly 12,000 fans was evenly split cheering on both teams. Every basket drew a roar from one of the fan bases.

"The crowd was amazing," said Sami Whitcomb, who led Australia with 15 points. "I think it lifted us the whole game. Even with the loss, we have a goal still in mind (of winning a medal)."

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The game was back and forth with neither team getting more than an eight-point advantage. The fourth quarter kept the crowd entertained.

Chinese center Han was dominant on both ends of the court. She helped take China to a 36-30 lead at the break with 13 points. Australia hung around though and took the lead with Steph Talbot's layup with 4:41 left. The game went back and forth after that until the last few seconds.

China was missing its star guard Li Meng, who sat out the game with what Chinese media reported as having a fever due to body fatigue.

Canada's Nirra Fields (right) dribbles during the semifinal match between the United States and Canada at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, Sept 30, 2022. (HU JINGCHEN / XINHUA)

Unstoppable US

Earlier on Friday, Breanna Stewart and the United States used a dominant defensive effort to beat Canada and reach the gold-medal game for the fourth consecutive tournament.

Earlier on Friday, Breanna Stewart and the United States used a dominant defensive effort to beat Canada and reach the gold-medal game for the fourth consecutive tournament

Stewart scored 17 points and the Americans raced into an early lead to put away Canada 83-43. The 43 points were the fewest scored in a semifinal in World Cup history.

"Canada has been playing really well all tournament and the goal was just to come out there and really limit them," said US forward Alyssa Thomas. "We were really locked in from the jump with our game plan."

"Our goal was to win a gold medal and we're in position to do that," US coach Cheryl Reeve said.

The US (7-0), which is on a record pace for points and margin of victory in the tournament, took control of the game early, scoring the first 15 points.

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The Americans contested every shot on the defensive end as the Canadians missed their first nine attempts from the field. On the offensive end, Stewart, A'ja Wilson and Thomas basically got any shot they wanted.

"I think after that punch, it really took the air out of them," Thomas said.

"They didn't know what to do with their offense anymore after that."

Laeticia Amihere, who plays at South Carolina for former US coach Dawn Staley, finally got Canada on the board nearly five minutes into the game, making a driving layup.

By the end of the quarter the US led 27-7.

Canada had committed four turnovers — the same number the team had against Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals which was the lowest total in a game in 30 years.

The Americans were up 45-21 at the half and the lead kept expanding in the final 20 minutes. The win was the biggest margin for the US in the medal round, topping the 36-point victory over Spain in the 2010 World Cup.

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Canada (5-2) advanced to the medal round for the first time since 1986 and has a chance to win its first medal since taking the bronze that year.

"We didn't get it done today, but what we're going to do is take this with us, what we learned today and how we can turn it up tomorrow," Canada captain Natalie Achonwa said. "It's still a game for a medal and it's just as important for us."