Gold medalists Team China celebrate with the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023 trophy during the medal ceremony after the tournament's final in Sydney, Australia, July 2, 2023. /CFP

Team China beat Team Japan 73-71 to win the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Women's Asia Cup in Sydney on Sunday.

This was China's 12th title in the event's history, as well as their first since 2011, ending Japan's five-time winning streak and putting China level with South Korea on the number of wins.

Japan led 26-35 going into the second half. However, China narrowed the gap down to three points before the last quarter after towering center Han Xu scored seven straight points to boost China's morale at the beginning of the third quarter.

Two three-pointers from forward Li Meng and Wang Siyu leveled the score for China at 60-60 halfway into the last quarter before Han again came to the rescue to put China ahead 68-66, and the Chinese side subsequently sealed the deal 73-71.

Tournament MVP Han, 23, produced a game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds, including a crucial one that kept China in the lead with less than 20 seconds left on the clock. Both Li Meng and Wang had 17 points, while Li Yuan contributed seven and Pan Zhenqi had two. Maki Takada top-scored with 17 points for Japan.

Standing 2.08 meters tall, Han was also a key presence during China's runner-up finish at last year's Women's World Cup. Han, a member of the WNBA side New York Liberty, said after the match, "Our teammates are very talented, excellent and brave. I have trust in them; I hope I can control the situation in critical moments and act as a backbone inside the paint to lead young players in the team."

"I will do my best and learn to handle pressure. I am still young and have a lot to improve. The game made my team and me more confident. We will take every practice well to achieve greater goals in the future," she went on to say.

The next challenge for the Chinese women's basketball players will be the Asian Games, which will be held in Hangzhou, China, in September. Women's Asia Cup hosts Australia, who finished third, and fourth-placed New Zealand joined the finalists to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifier.