How did South Korea beat China in the women’s basketball semifinal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games?

South Korea erased a four-point deficit entering the fourth quarter and won 85-80. The comeback was fueled by three-pointers from Kang Lee-seul and Lee Hae-ran, while Lee So-hee led all scorers with 23 points.

Who were the standout players for South Korea against China?

Lee So-hee and Lee Hae-ran carried the scoring load, each finishing with more than 20 points. Lee So-hee added six rebounds and five three-pointers, while Lee Hae-ran also had six rebounds.

Who will South Korea play in the women’s basketball final and what is at stake?

South Korea will meet Japan in the final scheduled for 7:20 p.m. Saturday in Nagoya. The team is seeking its first women’s basketball gold medal since 2014 and its fifth overall.

S. Korea beats China to reach women's basketball final

Listen

Summary

South Korea advanced to the women’s basketball final in Nagoya after rallying past China 85-80 at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Friday. Lee So-hee and Lee Hae-ran each scored more than 20 points, and South Korea will face Japan in Saturday’s final. The team is chasing its first Asian Games women’s basketball gold since 2014 and its fifth overall.

Key Facts

Lee So-hee scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed six rebounds, including five three-pointers.
Lee Hae-ran added 22 points and six rebounds in the semifinal win.
Captain Kang Lee-seul scored 16 points and made two shots from behind the arc.
South Korea trailed 65-61 entering the fourth quarter before taking the lead for good on Kang Lee-seul’s three-pointer and a later three-pointer by Lee Hae-ran.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 25, 2026 7:27 pm KST
Updated Sep 26, 2026 12:53 am KST

South Korean players celebrate their victory after winning against China in the semifinals of women's basketball at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Japan, Sept. 25. Reuters-Yonhap

NAGOYA, Japan — South Korea advanced to the women's basketball final after pulling off a come-from-behind victory over China at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Friday, moving a step closer to its first Asiad gold medal in 12 years.

Guard Lee So-hee and forward Lee Hae-ran scored more than 20 points each to help South Korea defeat China 85-80 in the semifinals at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya.

In the final set for 7:20 p.m. Saturday, South Korea will meet Japan. The host country beat Chinese Taipei 80-52 in Friday's second semifinal game.

Coached by Park Soo-ho, South Korea is chasing its first gold medal in women's hoops since 2014 and its fifth overall. The men's national team won gold here Sunday.

In the first quarter, South Korea's forwards struggled to get past China's 220-centimeter center Zhang Ziyu, ending the quarter down 19-17.

The gap widened to 41-36 in the second quarter as South Korea had difficulty finding its range from three-point territory.

Some timely three-pointers helped South Korea stay in a seesaw battle in the third quarter.

Entering the fourth quarter down four points at 65-61, South Korea mounted a dramatic comeback, relying heavily on three-pointers.

Captain Kang Lee-seul hit a three-pointer to give South Korea a 70-69 lead, and Lee Hae-ran's three-pointer extended the lead to 78-74, with the team maintaining the lead to seal the victory.

Lee So-hee scored a game-high 23 points, including five three-pointers, and grabbed six rebounds, while Lee Hae-ran added 22 points and six rebounds.

Captain Kang scored 16 points and made two shots from behind the arc.

Explore More