After two big victories over European champions Serbia last week, the Belgian Cat team suffered a notable defeat (67-80) against strong China. These training matches are preparations for the World Cup to be held from 22 September to 1 October in Australia.
Without Emma Meesseman and Julie Allemand still active in the WNBA, the Belgian Cats started an interesting new exhibition game against China in Kortrijk.
The Cats kept the competition easy, especially in the early stages, even leading 20-17 by the end of the first quarter. Hind bin Abdul Qadir was particularly impressed.
After that, sharper China increasingly took the upper hand. The score skewed to 39-41 halfway and in the third quarter the gap deepened to 12 points.
The superb Si Jinghuang doubled with 20 points and 12 rebounds, and the Chinese victory was no longer in danger in the last minutes.
Belgium will also play China tomorrow, which is scheduled to take place in Ostend. China will also be an opponent in the World Cup group stage.
