Overcoming a poorly executed first half by playing an in-your-face defense for the entire second half, Taiwan toppled Uzbekistan 106-69 on Sunday evening for its third victory of the basketball competition at the Asian Games in Doha.
Taiwan's win, coupled with a loss by Japan to Kazakhstan early yesterday morning, means Taiwan, Japan, and Kazakhstan (all 3-2) and undefeated China (5-0) all qualify from Group B for the quarter-finals which begin tonight. But with the tie-breaker rules favoring Kazakhstan and Japan, Taiwan is forced to take on Group A winner Qatar.
The game against Uzbekistan began with Taiwan playing down to its opponents' level resulting in several careless turnovers and poorly selected shots in a forgettable first quarter that ended with Taiwan leading 20-16.
PHOTO: WANG YI-SUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Then came a high-scoring second quarter in which neither team played much defense at all, resulting in a combined 60 points. Taiwan tried -- often unsuccessfully -- to put pressure on the weak ball handling of Uzbekistan with a full-court press defense, contributing to a number of uncontested lay-ups. Uzbekistan, for its part, allowed Taiwan to fire at will from the perimeter, resulting in five three-pointers.
The slim 49-47 lead for Taiwan after the first half had many wondering if an upset for the 25-point underdogs was in the making.
Fortunately for Taiwan, the first-half miscues did not continue in the second half. The previously porous defense showed more mettle to hold Uzbekistan to only 22 points and the offense dominated, scoring 57 points and pulling away for what was ultimately an easy victory.
Five different players scored in the double-digits for Taiwan, with power forward Tien Lei's (Dacin Tigers) game-high 22 points leading the way. He was assisted by reserve guard Chou Shih-yuan's (Yulon Dinos) 20 points and Taiwan Beer great Lin "the Beast" Chih-jeh's 19.
Defensively for Taiwan, the improved second half effort produced 18 of the team's 28 turnovers, putting a late smile on skipper Lee Yun-kuan's (Dinos) face.
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