China denied Japan a sixth straight FIBA Women's Asia Cup title on Sunday, grinding out a 73-71 win in a final that went down to the wire at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre.
Center Han Xu led China with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while forward Maki Takada contributed a team-high 17 points for Japan.
With Japan trailing 66-60 and just over two minutes left to play, guard Saki Hayashi brought the defending champions level by converting a three-point play quickly followed by a three-pointer.
The 205-centimeter Han answered with a clutch layup from an inbounds play with 1:05 left, giving China a 68-66 lead that they never relinquished.
Both teams had already secured their places at next February's 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers by advancing to the Asia Cup semifinals.
Host Australia earlier beat New Zealand 81-59 in the third-place playoff.
