China's 3x3 women's basketball team bags two straight wins at Tokyo 2020

Wang Lili (C) of China competes during the women's 3x3 basketball pool round match between China and France in Tokyo, Japan, July 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

TOKYO, July 25 (Xinhua) -- China's 3x3 women's basketball team underlined their status as event favorites, as the reigning FIBA World Cup champions defeated Italy 22-13 and France 20-13 on Day 2 of action on Sunday at Tokyo 2020.

China stunned Italy with a 7-2 run in the first three minutes, before Italy fought back and cut the deficit to 11-9. China then dominated the court and smashed Italy with an 11-4 run, scoring past the 21-point winning mark two minutes and 47 seconds before the ten-minute limit.

Veteran Zhang Zhiting scored a game-high eight points with six rebounds for China, and Yang Shuyu added seven points, burying three 2-pointers out of five. Raelin D'Alie had a team-high six points for Italy and Chiara Consolini added five.

Against France, China began the game with a 4-1 run, before France turned the deficit into a 10-6 lead. China then clawed back to tie the game at 11-11 before stepping on the gas pedal to trounce France with a 9-2 run for their second victory in Day 2 action.

Wang Lili and Yang Shuyu scored seven points apiece for China. Mamignan Toure had a team-high five points for France and Ana Maria Filip added four.

China has a 3-1 win-loss record over the first two days of 3x3 action, and will face hosts Japan and top seed USA on Monday in the pool round. Enditem