China reaches first Women's Basketball World Cup semifinals in 28 years

Yang Liwei (L) of China goes for a lay-up during the quarter-finals match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

SYDNEY, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China got past France 85-71 here on Thursday to advance to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup semifinals for the first time in almost three decades.

Five Chinese players hit double digits in scoring, led by Li Meng's 23 points. Huang Sijing helped with 18.

The last time China reached the same stage was in 1994, when they finished runners-up at the formerly known FIBA World Championship for Women.

China has lost each of their previous three quarterfinal games at the quadrennial tournament, in 2002, 2014 and 2018, while showing its determination to shatter this unfriendly record from the start in Thursday's game.

After athletic Gabby Williams helped France race to a 12-6 lead, China responded with an 18-3 surge to turn the tides, with Li Meng contributing 12 points down the stretch. France scored five late points, including Mamignan Toure's buzzer-beating 3-pointer, to tie the first quarter at 25-25.

But China kept imposing pressure on opponents in the second quarter with six points in a row en route to a 50-39 halftime margin.

France rode on a 12-2 scoring run to trim the deficit to one point midway through the third quarter, but China steadied themselves through Han Xu's three-point play and Li Yuan continued her scoring output after coming off the bench, helping China lead 66-58 heading into the final frame.

Han continued to be unstoppable in the paint in the last period, and China effectively sealed their victory as Huang buried a 3-pointer with 1:26 to play.

China will vie for a final berth on Friday against either hosts Australia or Belgium, who will go head-to-head later on Thursday. 

Li Yueru (L) of China gestures during the quarter-finals match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Yang Liwei (R) of China drives the ball against Sarah Michel of France during the quarter-finals match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Li Yueru (L) of China goes for a lay-up during the quarter-finals match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Li Meng of China gestures for 3-point during the quarter-finals match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Yang Liwei (R) of China competes during the quarter-finals match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Han Xu (Top) of China goes for a lay-up during the quater-final match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Yang Liwei (1st R) of China goes for a lay-up during the quater-final match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Li Meng of China gestures during the quater-final match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Li Yuan of China gestures to teammates during the quater-final match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Li Yueru (2nd L) of China celebrates winning with teammates after the quater-final match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Li Meng (1st R) of China hugs her teammate Wu Tongtong during the quater-final match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Players of China celebrate winning after the quater-final match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Yang Liwei (1st L) of China drives the ball during the quater-final match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)