In a pulsating warmup clash ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, the Chinese women’s basketball team edged out Brazil 74-69 in Changsha, Hunan Province, on Wednesday. The match, held in central China’s capital of the province, showcased intense rivalry as both squads geared up for the global showdown.
The opening quarter was a nail-biter, with neither side yielding ground easily. China pulled ahead decisively in the second, limiting Brazil to just 11 points while Wang Siyu fired on all cylinders, sinking all six of her shots for 13 points. That propelled China to a commanding 39-26 halftime lead.
The third quarter saw China extend to 55-40, but the fourth brought drama. China managed only nine points, allowing Brazil to claw back with a buzzer-beating three-pointer that tied it at 64-64, forcing overtime. There, Chang Jie’s heroics sealed the deal, guiding China to victory.
Head coach Kong Luming stressed the value of such high-stakes games to sharpen the team’s edge for qualifiers. The teams rematch Friday. The 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers run March 11-17 in Wuhan, where China faces Belgium, Brazil, South Sudan, Czech Republic, and Mali in Group play.