Despite steller performances by point guard Chen Ying-Chun and center Quincy Davis, Taiwan yesterday fell to Australia 88-68 in a first-round Asian qualifier for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Melbourne.
Chen, the 24-year-old point guard of the Chinese Basketball Association’s Guangzhou Securities Longlions, had a game-high 22 points along with five rebounds and three assists, while Davis had a double-double, with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
However, it was not enough to overcome a dominant first half by Australia, who opened a 20-point lead late in the second quarter after a 12-0 run and led 47-25 at halftime.
Mitchell Creek starred for Australia, scoring 18 points on nine-of-nine shooting and grabbing nine rebounds in just 15 minutes.
Taiwan never got closer than 17 in the second half.
The loss left Taiwan with a 1-3 record in the four-team qualifying Group B, but still in position to qualify for the second round.
Teams in each group play home games against each other from November last year until July, and the three teams with the best record in each group advance to the next round.
Australia improved to 4-0 with their win over Taiwan, and are assured of finishing in the top three. The Philippines (2-1) were to play Japan (0-3) in Manila later yesterday, also looking to clinch a place in the final 12.
Taiwan’s only win so far came on Thursday, when they edged Japan 70-69 in Yokohoma after losing to Australia 104-66 in Taipei on Nov. 24 and to the Philippines 90-83 in Manila on Nov. 27.
They still have home games left against the Philippines on June 29 and Japan on July 2, with the latter likely to decide Taiwan’s fate.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping