(2nd LD) (Asiad) S. Korea wins women's basketball gold medal

South Korea claimed the women's basketball gold at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday, defeating Japan 75-70 in the final at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya. Forward Lee Hae-ran led the team with 24 points, while captain Kang Lee-seul contributed 21 points. This marks South Korea's first women's basketball gold since 2014, following a similar victory by the men's team over Japan just six days earlier.

This win also represents the first sweep of both men's and women's basketball titles at an Asian Games in a dozen years. South Korea led by as many as 20 points in the third quarter before weathering a late Japanese comeback. South Korea responded to Japan's opening three-point shot with 11 unanswered points and went up 15-3 at the 5:48 mark.

After a period of poor shooting by South Korea, Park So-hee's corner three put the Koreans up 25-10 with 52 seconds left in the first quarter. Lee Hae-ran's three-pointer extended South Korea's lead to 35-18 at the 4:19 mark of the second quarter. Japan's late surge saw Riho Akagi hit two free throws, and Haru Owaki's buzzer-beating three from beyond the arc gave Japan a 48-42 lead at halftime.

South Korea staged a strong comeback in the third quarter, leading 56-36 at one point, but Japan fought back. With 2:15 left in the final quarter, Japan cut the lead to 66-62 after a string of five successful field goals. South Korea managed to hold onto a 72-68 lead with 32.6 seconds remaining but failed to score in a chaotic possession.

After Riho Akagi missed two free throws, Owaki grabbed the rebound and scored an easy basket, making it a two-point game. Despite Japan's last-ditch efforts, including a missed desperation three by Akagi, South Korea emerged victorious with a final score of 75-70. South Korea's shooting was 39% from the field and 44% overall, while Japan connected on just 21% of their attempts from beyond the arc and 37% overall.

South Korea competed with 11 players due to injuries, and head coach Park Soo-ho lacked guard Park Ji-hyun, who is the only South Korean player in the Women's National Basketball Association.