A subpar start by Taiwan A dug a hole too deep for them to overcome as they dropped the final game in the preliminary round of this year’s William Jones Cup International Basketball Tournament against South Korea by a 101-95 margin at the University of Taipei Gymnasium in Tianmu last night.
Always a step behind their South Korean counterparts, the hosts allowed a team-high 29 points to fall behind the visitors 29-16 in the first quarter, in which South Korea shot an outstanding 12 for 22 from the field, including three three-pointers to set the tone for the rest of the game.
Even though Taiwan A’s offense would regain their usual form with 23 points in an evenly fought second quarter, it did not keep South Korea from enjoying a comfortable 53-39 lead at the half.
Following the halftime intermission, Taiwan A exploded for 36 points on offense in the third quarter, led by 10 from Chang Tsung-hsien, to cut the deficit to less than 10.
However, even with the momentum swinging their way in the fourth quarter, where the Islanders managed to reduce the deficit to as little as three points, they fell short by six in the end in a devastating loss.
Next up for No. 2-seeded Taiwan A will be a feisty US squad that finished No. 3 in the preliminaries. Tip-off is scheduled for 5pm in Tianmu today.
EGYPT 83, TAIWAN TEAM B 59
Taiwan B were held to under 60 points for the second straight day in their final preliminary game, dropping an 83-59 decision to Egypt to settle with a 2-5 mark in the preliminary round.
Outsized and outexperienced compared with their Egyptian counterparts, the Islanders relied on pure hustle and determination to hang with the visitors for the first seven minutes of play in a 15-all tie before falling behind by five to end the first quarter.
That was as close as they got, as Egypt overran and outscored them 19-8 in the second quarter to take a commanding 39-23 lead at the half en route to a blowout victory.
Four different players scored in double-digits on the day, led by Amr Abdelhalim’s game-high 17 points, while Taiwan’s Hu Long-mao was the lone double-digit scorer for the hosts with 14.
In other play, it was:
‧ Jordan 63, Iran 62
‧ USA 90, Japan 72
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