Olympic Women’s Basketball Halftime: Han Xu Scores and Grabs Boards, Li Yueru Scores, Rebounds, and Assists; China Trails Serbia by Points at the Half

On July 31, the Olympic women’s basketball group stage match features the Chinese women’s team versus the Serbian women’s team.

The game begins, and after some initial probing from both sides, Wang Suyu’s cross-court pass is intercepted by Jankovic, who scores the first points of the game with a layup. The Chinese women’s team responds as Wang Suyu drives to the basket and draws a foul, converting both free throws. Anderson then scores with a floater in the paint, to which Wang Suyu replies with a driving layup and an offensive rebound for two more points. Both teams start to find their rhythm, with Wang Suyu and Nogic each hitting a three-pointer, tying the game once again. Jankovic completes a three-point play, but Han Xu answers with an easy basket in the paint. After Serbia scores four straight points, China calls a timeout. Huang Siqing hits a three-pointer to stabilize the situation, followed by back-to-back threes from Begovic and Han Xu, making for an intense first quarter. In the final moments of the first quarter, Katanic scores just before the buzzer with a layup.

At the end of the first quarter, the Chinese women’s team trails the Serbian women’s team 17-23.

In the second quarter, Han Xu makes four consecutive free throws after drawing fouls, reducing the deficit to two points. Smiljana Smejkovic scores off a screen, and Anderson follows up with two made free throws, extending the lead back to six points. Yang Liwei enters the game and immediately hits a three-pointer. After a Serbian turnover, Wang Suyu drives to the basket and draws another foul, making one of two free throws. Anderson misses a jump shot, and Li Yueru scores an easy layup off a great pass from Huang Siqing to tie the game. Li Yueru then makes one of two free throws to give China the lead. Anderson misses both of her free throw attempts, while Li Yueru scores two more points with a layup. Nogic ties the game with a three-pointer. The second quarter sees both teams trading baskets, with Li Meng making both of her free throws after drawing a foul. Anderson completes a three-point play, and Li Yueru makes both of her free throws. Kado and Laza hit back-to-back threes, allowing Serbia to go on a run, but Li Meng responds with two made free throws. On the final possession of the half, Anderson scores again.

At halftime, the Chinese women’s team trails the Serbian women’s team 39-45.