China reaches first FIBA U18 Asia Cup final in 12 years

NEW DELHI -- China beat New Zealand 79-66 in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup semifinals in Ahmedabad, India on Saturday to reach the final for the first time since 2014.

China led 24-10 after the first quarter and extended it to 39-17 midway through the second on the back of a 13-0 burst. New Zealand answered with a 12-3 run to pull within 42-29 at halftime.

Trailing 63-48 heading into the final frame, New Zealand cut the deficit to eight points with six minutes remaining but could not draw closer.

Zhang Chunzhi led China with 18 points, and Zhang Yizhaojie added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Jackson Ball had a game-high 23 points for New Zealand.

Having claimed its last title in Qatar in 2014 and finished third in the past three editions, China will face Australia, who crushed South Korea 111-74, in Sunday's final.