China's under-19 basketball team claimed their first victory at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Saturday, defeating Jordan 97-78 in a thrilling classification match. The win ended a five-game losing streak and showcased a revitalized squad under strategic adjustments.
Coach’s decision to start Yang Yi as point guard proved pivotal. Despite not scoring a field goal, Yang orchestrated the offense with a tournament-record 17 assists, enabling four teammates to score double-digit points. Zhang Boyuan led with 22 points off the bench, while Huan Sinan added 16 points and five blocks. Starters Chen Jiazheng and Cui Xinquan contributed 17 and 14 points, respectively.
China dominated early, building an 81-54 lead by the third quarter. Jordan’s fourth-quarter rally narrowed the gap but fell short against China’s cohesive defense. The team now faces Cameroon on Sunday to determine their final tournament ranking.
