China may have fallen short in this battle against Spain, but Yueru Li's 31-point performance was nothing short of legendary
Yueru Li's standout performance wasn't enough to secure a victory for China as they fell 90-89 to Spain in overtime during the opening game of women's basketball Group A at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Li dominated the court with a game-high 31 points and 15 rebounds, scoring inside with 4 seconds left to bring China within one point.
Spain's Maria Araujo hit a crucial 3-pointer with 3:06 left in overtime, and Queralt Casas sealed the game by tossing the ball into the air as the buzzer sounded. Despite Li's efforts, including contributions from Li Meng who added 13 points, Spain managed to edge out the win.
Spain's captain, Alba Torrens, praised the team's resilience and determination in their comeback victory. Megan Gustafson led Spain with 29 points, while Leonor Rodriguez added 25, helping the fourth-ranked Spaniards start their Olympic campaign on a high note.