China broke a 12-year title drought and ended Japan's stranglehold of the FIBA Women's Basketball Asia Cup with a 73-71 victory in a classic final, here on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In a nerve-jangling decider, world No. 2 China finished strongly to win their first Asia Cup since 2011.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Han Xu capped off a dominant tournament with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while WNBA player Li Meng hit clutch shots to finish with 17 points and 6 assists.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Maki Takada top-scored with 17 points for Japan, whose bid for a record-extending sixth straight title fell just short, a Xinhua report said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
China's chances of a record-equalling 12th title were made harder without captain Yang Liwei who suffered a leg injury late in the semifinal against Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was a high-quality start as both teams traded baskets in a frenetic first quarter, which ended with the scores tied at 17.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Han took over early in the second term as China scored the first seven points to gain control.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Japan hit back when Han went to the bench and stormed to a 35-26 halftime lead on the back of scoring 16 straight points.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Having gone through a scoring drought, China emerged in the third quarter renewed with Han rediscovering her dominance. But Japan steadied to take a 51-48 lead into the fourth quarter as the twists continued in a tense finish.<\/p>\r\n\r\n