Taipei Times
Date: Jul 24, 2016
By: Jason Pan / Staff reporter
Taiwan B Team kept it close against a more experienced Iran side, but faltered in the second half,
Taiwan B Team’s Fan Shih-en, center, grabs a rebound in their William Jones Cup match against Iran at the Sinjhuang Gymasium in New Taipei City yesterday. Photo: Lin Cheng-kung, Taipei Times
as Iran secured a 73-61 victory over the hosts yesterday, while Egypt showed they could be the surprise package by edging South Korea 74-73 in opening-day results from the William Jones Cup.
Taiwan B Team, consisting of youth players who are to compete in next year’s Universiade Games, knew it was going to be tough to overcome Iran, whose lineup had a height advantage and more experience under their belt.
At the start, forward Huang Tsung-han and point guard Wu Chia-chun paced Taiwan with fast breaks to go ahead 18-13 in the first quarter.
However, Iran tightened their defense and fought back to lead 35-30 at halftime.
In the second half, Iran’s physical superiority and teamwork gradually widened the gap against the hosts. Iran’s star duo of Behnam Yakhchali and Sajjad Mashayekhi led their team with 18 points and 16 points respectively to a 73-61 victory.
Earlier yesterday afternoon, Egypt started brightly and led South Korea 43-25 at halftime.
South Korea mounted rallies through the third and fourth quarters to close within two points at 74-72 with 50 seconds left in the match. [FULL STORY]