China storms into Women's Basketball World Cup quarters

Players of China react after winning the Group A match against Puerto Rico at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

SYDNEY, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- China stormed into the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup quarterfinals with a convincing 95-60 win over Puerto Rico here on Monday.

With its third victory from four games, confident China joined three-time defending champion the United States and Belgium as teams from Group A to have qualified for the knockout stage.

It was an even performance from China, who never relented with all 12 players hitting the scoreboard. Center Li Yueru led with 16 points and eight rebounds, forward Zhang Ru finished with 14 points, and sharpshooter Huang Sijing added 12 points.

The Chinese team hit 57.7 percent from the field, including 11 of 25 from three-point range, and had a staggering 41 assists with 11 players contributing to the tally.

The 18-year-old Trinity San Antonio from Puerto Rico scored a game-high 19 points.

China raced out to an early 10-2 lead and exploited their height advantage over Puerto Rico, whose head coach Gerardo Batista substituted his entire starting line-up for a change of fortune.

It initially paid dividends to Puerto Rico, who produced a historic first ever World Cup win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opener.

But China regained the initiative, which spilt over into the second quarter where they pushed the tempo to score a slew of points in transition to overwhelm Puerto Rico and stretch their lead to 51-25 at halftime.

China made crisp passing led by Li Yuan (9 assists) and Wang Siyu (8 assists), and shot superbly to thwart Puerto Rico's rally.

After a tighter third quarter, Li Yueru hit a two-pointer to start the fourth as China put the foot down to tune up for the game with Belgium, semifinalists of the 2018 World Cup.

With only one defeat to the United States so far, China will finish the group phase on Tuesday with a clash against Belgium (3-1) with a top two spot up for grabs. 

Trinity San Antonio (L) of Puerto Rico drives the ball as Wang Siyu of China defends during a Group A match between China and Puerto Rico at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Wang Siyu (L) of China goes up for a basket during a Group A match between China and Puerto Rico at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Zhang Ru of China competes during a Group A match between China and Puerto Rico at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Li Yueru (R) of China goes up for a basket during a Group A match between China and Puerto Rico at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Chinese Basketball Association president Yao Ming is seen during a Group A match between China and Puerto Rico at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Players of China (R) are seen before a Group A match between China and Puerto Rico at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Wu Tongtong (L) of China drives the ball during a Group A match between China and Puerto Rico at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Zheng Wei, head coach of China, reacts during a Group A match between China and Puerto Rico at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Li Yueru (Top) of China goes up for a basket during a Group A match between China and Puerto Rico at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Li Yuan of China competes during a Group A match between China and Puerto Rico at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)