The Gems are champions of Asia again, and for the third time in a row. Madison Ryan hit a jumper with one second left to give Australia an 83-82 win over Japan in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup final and complete the three-peat.
A QUARTER-BY-QUARTER BATTLE
Japan made the faster start and led 23-19 after the first quarter. Australia’s second quarter turned the game, with the Gems outscoring Japan 22-14 to lead 41-37 at half-time. They kept the edge through the third, winning the period 21-19 to lead 62-56 going into the last.
THE FINAL QUARTER
The Gems built the lead early in the fourth, with Ryan hitting a three to push it to nine, 65-56. Miya Takeuchi then took over for Japan. She scored 18 of Japan’s 26 points in the quarter, including a three and a run of free throws that dragged the margin back inside six.
Australia kept answering. Cheyenne Bobongie’s driving layup made it 69-63, and Olivia Olechnowicz hit four free throws in the last three minutes to hold the lead. Ryan’s second three of the quarter, assisted by Bobongie, made it 77-71 with 1:40 to play.
Takeuchi kept coming. Two layups and a free throw cut the gap to one, 77-76, with under a minute left. Bobongie then hit a three off an Olechnowicz assist to make it 80-76, but Riko Katsube hit a step-back three for Japan with 23 seconds left to make it 80-79. Jemyma Manyok split a pair of free throws to make it 81-79, and then Takeuchi hit a step-back three with four seconds on the clock to put Japan in front, 82-81.
The Gems took a timeout. Olechnowicz fed Ryan, who made the jumper with one second left to make it 83-82. Japan’s head coach requested a challenge on the final play, but the result stood.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
Ryan was the Gems’ best player, finishing with 17 points and 17 rebounds (five offensive) and an efficiency rating of 27. She scored nine of her points in the fourth quarter.
Isabel Smith added 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-3 from the line. Olechnowicz scored 15 points, added 3 assists, and played more than 37 minutes.
Manyok finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks and 2 steals, and played a big part in the Gems’ defence around the rim. Bobongie directed the offence with a team-high 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks and 7 points, and Lily Mapp (6 points) and Taryn Bond (4 points, 3 rebounds) contributed off the bench.
BY THE NUMBERS
Australia shot 49.2% from the field and 68.4% from the free-throw line, and out-rebounded Japan 45 to 28 in the second half. The Gems finished with 15 assists and 7 blocks as a team. Four players scored in double figures.
Ryan | 17 PTS, 17 REB, Smith | 16 PTS, 3 REB, Manyok | 13 PTS, 8 REB, Olechnowicz | 15 PTS, 3 AST and
A THREE-PEAT FOR THE GEMS
The win makes it three consecutive FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup titles for the Gems, a run of dominance that few programs in the region can match. This group had to hold its nerve in the final minute against a Japan side that refused to go away, and it was Ryan who delivered the shot that sealed the three-peat.
