Wang Siyu (3rd L) of China competes during the Basketball Women's Gold Medal Game at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

HANGZHOU, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- China successfully defended its title in the Women's Basketball with a 74-72 victory over arch-rival Japan at the Asian Games on Thursday.

China, who sits second in the world rankings, surged to a 26-16 lead after the first quarter. After Japan tied at 72-all, Wang Siyu made a crucial layup in the final seconds as China pocketed its seventh gold at the continental multi-sports showpiece.

China has been riding high in Women's Basketball over the past two years, with the Asiad gold coming on the heels of its runner-up at the FIBA Women's World Cup last year, and the FIBA Women's Asia Cup title in July.