World Cup Qualifiers - After 586 Days! Li Yueru Returns, Interior Trio Scores 47 Points, Chinese Women's Basketball Team Defeats Mali

At 19:30 Beijing time on March 11th, the first round of the Wuhan zone qualifiers for the 2026 Women's Basketball World Cup commenced, with the Chinese women's basketball team defeating Mali 81-68 to secure an opening victory.

Li Yueru

Statistical Breakdown

China Team: Li Yueru 21 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist; Yang Shuyu 14 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists; Han Xu 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; Zhang ZiYu 12 points, 3 rebounds; Luo XinYu 8 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist; Wang Siyu 6 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists; Wang Jiaqi 2 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists; Chen Mingling 2 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists; Chen Yujie 1 point, 2 rebounds, 3 assists; Zhang Ru 1 point, 1 assist; Tang Ziting 2 rebounds; Zhang Mannan 1 assist

Mali Team: Dab 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist; Kone 11 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists; Haidara 11 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists; Doumbia 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists; Bella Yela 7 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist; Dembele 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists; Cisse 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists; Samasekou 1 point, 1 rebound, 2 assists; Sissoko 1 rebound; Koroma 1 rebound

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Kone and Dab combined inside and outside, giving Mali a 5-0 lead early. Yang Shuyu's jump shot broke the deadlock for China, while Mali used fast breaks for consecutive layups to extend their lead. Han Xu scored 9 points through drives and outside shots. Li Yueru substituted in, marking her return to the Chinese women's basketball team after 586 days. Upon entering, Li Yueru drew fouls and made two free throws. Yang Shuyu excelled on offense, leading China to an 11-4 run to overtake the score. Subsequently, Zhang ZiYu replaced Li Yueru, and all three of China's main centers were on court. The score seesawed, with multiple ties. As Zhang ZiYu hit a buzzer-beater, the quarter ended tied at 20.

In the second quarter, Cisse scored two points with a reverse layup. Luo XinYu, hot from inside and outside, scored 5 consecutive points. Li Yueru added two more with a fast-break layup, giving China a 9-2 run to widen the lead. Afterwards, both teams missed shots for a period, and Mali used two fast breaks to recover 5 points. China adjusted their lineup, speeding up the offensive pace. Yang Shuyu hit a three-pointer from the left baseline, leading China 32-27 and forcing a Mali timeout. After the timeout, Luo XinYu hit a buzzer-beater three-pointer from the left baseline, further extending China's lead. After Cisse scored two points with a fake and layup, China led 35-29 to end the first half.

In the third quarter, Mali immediately chased points. Li Yueru and Han Xu scored successively under the basket, maintaining China's lead of about 4 points. Doumbia hit two three-pointers, reducing Mali's deficit to 1 point. At the crucial moment, Yang Shuyu again stabilized the situation with an outside three-pointer. Zhang ZiYu and Chen Mingling combined for 4 points, leading China 51-44 by seven points and prompting a Mali timeout. After the timeout, Zhang ZiYu was unstoppable under the basket, using height advantage for consecutive scores. China led 57-48 to end the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Zhang ZiYu easily scored a layup to widen the lead to 10 points. Kone chased points with consecutive layups. Han Xu and Li Yueru hit three-pointers successively, giving China a 69-54 lead, a 15-point advantage. Dab and Haidara combined inside and outside to recover 5 points. As Wang Siyu easily scored two points, Mali requested a timeout. After the timeout, China's interior advantage remained evident, especially with Li Yueru performing comprehensively, consecutively making shots and drawing fouls, completing two "and-one" plays. China led 81-64 by 17 points. However, Li Yueru subsequently accumulated five fouls and was fouled out. Ultimately, China defeated Mali 81-68.

Starting Lineups

China Team: Zhang Mannan, Yang Shuyu, Zhang Ru, Han Xu, Chen Mingling

Mali Team: Doumbia, Haidara, Dab, Kone, Bella Yela