Disastrous start! Only 5 of 28 three-pointers made, Cheng Shuaipeng injured and left the game, China men's basketball suffers a double defeat to South Korea

On December 1st Beijing time, during the first phase of the men's basketball World Cup Asia Qualifiers Group B, China was defeated by South Korea 76-90. China suffered a double loss to South Korea in this qualifier, losing both opening matches.

For China, Cheng Shuaipeng scored 19 points, Hu Jinqiu 18 points, Zhou Qi contributed 17 points and 15 rebounds, Liao Sanning had 8 points and 8 assists, Gao Shiyan scored 6 points, Zhang Zhenlin 4 points; for South Korea, Lee Jung-hyun scored 24 points with 4 assists, Lee Hyun-jung had 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals, Ha Yoon-ki scored 17 points, Lee Won-seok added 10 points and 2 blocks.

In the first quarter, Zhou Qi’s inside scoring showed strength; Lee Hyun-jung and Lee Jung-hyun launched continuous attacks, with the score tied at 4-all. Lee Jung-hyun heated up from beyond the arc hitting two consecutive three-pointers, while Lee Hyun-jung’s powerful drives under the basket helped South Korea build momentum, pulling ahead 16-4. Hu Jinqiu made a three-pointer, Liao Sanning combined drives and shots to score 6 points; Lee Hyun-jung scored on a reverse layup, Ha Yoon-ki’s offense was also impressive, and Lee Won-seok nailed a turnaround jumper, keeping South Korea in the lead. The quarter ended with South Korea leading 28-13.

In the second quarter, Lee Hyun-jung scored strong inside, Lee Jung-hyun easily finished near the basket; Gao Shiyan made a finger roll layup, Liao Sanning hit a mid-range jumper, but South Korea still led 32-17. Lee Jung-hyun hit two more three-pointers from outside, Ahn Young-hwan attacked strongly inside, and Lee Won-seok nailed an open three-pointer, helping South Korea extend their lead to 43-19. Liao Sanning scored an easy layup, Cheng Shuaipeng scored 6 points with drives and outside shots, helping China start a comeback. At halftime, South Korea led 52-29.

In the third quarter, Gao Shiyan and Cheng Shuaipeng each hit three-pointers, Hu Jinqiu scored a successful layup; Lee Hyun-jung added 5 points from mid to long range, and Lee Seung-hyun made a mid-range jumper, extending South Korea’s lead to 69-39, a 30-point gap. Cheng Shuaipeng fired two consecutive three-pointers from outside, Hu Jinqiu continued his strong inside attack scoring 5 points; Ha Yoon-ki attacked under the basket, Lee Jung-hyun scored both inside and outside, continuously adding points. The quarter ended with South Korea holding a commanding 80-52 lead.

In the final quarter, Hu Jinqiu and Zhou Qi repeatedly attacked the basket, Zhu Junlong made a layup, but Cheng Shuaipeng twisted his ankle and left the game, with China trailing 60-85. Although China fought hard to catch up in the remaining minutes, they were unable to overturn the result and ultimately suffered defeat.

Starting Lineups

China: Zhou Qi, Gao Shiyan, Cheng Shuaipeng, Zeng Fanbo, Zhu Junlong

South Korea: Lee Seung-hyun, Ahn Young-hwan, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Hyun-jung, Ha Yoon-ki