JINAN, China (2nd FIBA Asia U16 Championship for Women): India made a valiant attempt on Wednesday to break the long standing monopoly of the East Asian quartet in top four, but were left without gas when push came to shove.

Chinese Taipei the bronze  medalists of the last edition, on the other hand, were severely tested in the first half – even trailed 42-43 East Asian before a second half splurge took them to what eventually was a comfortable 99-67 win, which took them into the semifinals.

Even a defeat to China on the morrow would not alter Taipei’s progress to the last four.

Chen Y-hsuan scored a game-high 30 points, but importantly 16 of them came in the second half. Five of her 6 rebounds came after the first half.

Han Yeun scored of 8 of her dozen points and pulled down 8 of her 13 rebounds in the second half.

And Chen Wei-an, who held fort for Taipei in the first half with 10 points added another dozen in the second.

India, on the other hand, withered as the game progressed.

Poojamol Kochuparambu had a team-high 23 points, but 15 of them came in the first half.

That scoring pattern in a manner of speaking told the tale of the game.

Box scores

Play by Play

FIBA Asia