China women's basketball team kicks off Universiade title defense with easy win

The Chinese women's basketball team, the reigning champion, sealed a lop-sided 88-56 victory over Portugal in its first group match Friday at the FISU World University Games.

Shooting guard Chen Yujie dished out 19 points for China with efficient 28 minutes on the court, making seven out of nine attempts, including a 3-pointer. Forward Li Xingnuo buried three 3-pointers out of six attempts to add 16 points. Three more Chinese players scored in double-digit points.

Point guard Ines Ramos had a team-high 14 points from 11 shooting attempts. Forward Eva Carregosa was the only other Portuguese player contributing 10-plus points.

China opened the game with a 3-0 run, all coming from free throws before Portugal reinforced its attacks to level the score 14-14 with Maria Do Camo Cruz's field goal. Carregosa's consecutive five points from a 3-pointer and two free throws gave Portugal a 23-20 lead to wrap up the first quarter.

Starting strong in the second quarter with an 8-0 spurt, China contained Portugal to just four field goals throughout the quarter and built up a 46-33 advantage into the interval, outscoring Portugal by 26-10 in the period.

China maintained its momentum back into the court with a 6-0 to start the third quarter. Five straight points from Ramos' layup and 3-pointer helped Portugal narrow the deficit to 56-40, but a follow-up 3-pointer from Li Qingyang and a buzzer-beater from Zhang Zihan handed China an 18-point lead. The game went into the final period by 61-43.

The final quarter was left to substitutes for both teams and the match ended with 88-56.

China grabbed a total of 42 rebounds, 16 more than their opponents, which partly defined the direction of the game.

"We met Portugal at the Chengdu Universiade in 2023, so we somehow know their style," said Chinese coach Zhao Xuetong, a basketball trainer from Beijing Normal University, where most of the Chinese players come.

"We are the (Universiade) titleholder, but the squad here is much different, and some top players called up two years ago are absent. Hopefully, we can play better and finish our campaign here on podium."

In the other match in Group D, Romania snatched a narrow win of 64-60 over Chile. China will meet Romania and Portugal is to take on Chile on Saturday.