Kolkata : France beat South Korea 95-69 in Group B of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup on Saturday, securing a place in the quarter-finals with a second successive victory. The Olympic silver medalists started brightly and had a 31-24 lead after the first quarter but were overturned by a 17-point performance from Marine Johannès as France turned the game around before halftime and scored strongly after the break.
South Korea started the game with confidence after defeating Nigeria with a score of 99-81. They were quick off the blocks and France struggled initially as the Koreans threatened a swift 10-0 start.
Heo Ye-eun led the way for South Korea, scoring three three-pointers in the opening stanza to give Korea a seven-point advantage at the first water break. South Korea ended the first quarter 31-24 to the good and scored more points per quarter than France have ever conceded at the Women’s World Cup.
France responded well, though, and Johannès became the catalyst. The sharpshooting guard found her shooting touch, scoring nine points in France’s 14-0 burst to start the second quarter and change the course of the game. Johannès’ scoring display helped France turn a seven-point deficit into a 43-37 advantage at half-time. She had 14 points on the board by the break, including a three-pointer from almost half-court.
France also stepped up their defensive game after conceding 31 points in the first 10 minutes, and held South Korea to just six points in the second.
South Korea failed to find their rhythm after the break, while France found a new gear. France exploded with a 24-4 run in the third period, sparked by Dominique Malonga and Gabby Williams. Malonga netted 10 of her points in the burst, adding 3 three-pointers, and Williams added 9 of her points in the same period. This transformed a 6-point halftime lead into a 24-point advantage.
France scored 33 points in the third quarter and took a 76-52 lead into the final period, with South Korea having no answers. France cruised to a 26-point win in the end.
Johannes was the best scorer for France, recording 17 points, including 4 three-pointers. Malonga and Williams each added 14 points in the victory, while Valériane Ayayi contributed 8 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists, and Leila Lacan added 8 points and 5 assists.
South Korea was led by Heo Ye-eun and Lee Hae-ran, who each scored 12 of her points in the first period, but could not find the rhythm of the first frame. Heo added 5 assists, but South Korea failed to repeat the shooting accuracy of the first period.
France has a 2-0 record in Group B and has qualified for the quarterfinals. They started the competition with a 99-53 victory against Hungary. South Korea has one win and one loss and will face Hungary in their last game in Group B, which has become crucial for advancing to the next round.
For France, it was a matter of perspective. They were well aware of the challenge they faced when they came up against South Korea’s quick style of play and potent shooting from long range. However, once Johannès started to find her touch and the defence began to step up, it was clear to see why the Olympic silver medalists had been fancied as title contenders going into the competition.
They may have been beaten by 26 points, but France were reminded of their status as one of the top teams in the world when they put up such a strong performance in the opening quarter. South Korea simply made the necessary tactical adjustments when the game was on their terms, whereas France responded in kind and made the changes that were required to turn the game around.
