61-65 Comeback Loss to Serbia... Competitive Matches Against Spain and Canada
Breaking the Streak of Failing to Qualify for the Olympics and Confirming Significant Potential for Improvement
The South Korean women's basketball team (ranked 19th) played a competitive game against Serbia, ranked 8th in the FIBA world rankings. The team, led by head coach Jeon Ju-won, lost 61-65 to Serbia in the third group stage match of Group A in the women's basketball tournament at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held on the 1st at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Although they scored 37 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters, more than the opponent's 33 points, they could not overturn the result. With this, the team finished the tournament with a 0-3 record, placing last in Group A without securing a single win.
Although they failed to advance to the quarterfinals, the team achieved significant progress in this tournament. They broke the streak of failing to qualify for the main events of the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and confirmed their potential for further development. With solid teamwork, they challenged Spain, ranked 3rd in the world (69-73), and Canada, ranked 4th (53-74). They also did not lose confidence when facing Serbia, who won the bronze medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. They trailed 24-32 at halftime but tied the game 40-40 in the 3rd quarter with consecutive three-pointers by Park Hye-jin (Woori Bank) and Yoon Ye-bin (Samsung Life). Early in the 4th quarter, they fell behind again 46-53, but Park Ji-hyun (Woori Bank) narrowed the gap to two points (51-53) with a three-pointer and a drive to the basket. With 4 minutes and 44 seconds remaining, Yoon Ye-bin hit a three-pointer to take the lead 58-56. They led 61-60 until 2 minutes and 32 seconds before the end. However, they conceded free throws and points in the paint to Serbia consecutively, and Park Ji-su's (KB) last shot missed, ending the game in disappointment.
Park Ji-hyun scored the most points among both teams with 17. Kim Dan-bi (Shinhan Bank) contributed with 15 points and 6 rebounds. For Serbia, Aleksandra Crvendaki? performed well with 15 points and 7 rebounds.
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