Han Xu powered a 74-70 overtime comeback at the World Cup, delivering 22 points, 14 rebounds and four assists in the team's first victory of the tournament. Her second-chance basket helped establish a 5-0 opening run in overtime after five points during the final 27 seconds of regulation forced the extra period.
What happened
The winning side recovered from an earlier 10-point deficit and pulled even at 64-64 before the end of regulation. The five-point surge over the final 27 seconds completed the comeback and shifted the game into overtime with the result still unsettled.
Han then contributed a second-chance basket as her team scored the first five points of the extra period. That start created the separation needed to complete the 74-70 victory and finish a turnaround that had required a late regulation push.
Her production extended beyond scoring. The 14 rebounds and four assists complemented her 22 points, giving the team a central presence as it recovered from the deficit and converted the late opportunity.
Why it matters
The result delivered an immediate response after a 33-point loss in the tournament opener. Instead of falling to 0-2, the team moved to 1-1 in group play and preserved a path toward the quarterfinals.
The margin also underscored the importance of the final sequence. Five points separated a second straight defeat from overtime, where the opening 5-0 run put the comeback in position to hold.
With one group game remaining, the first tournament win keeps qualification within reach. The outcome of the finale will now carry direct weight for the team's quarterfinal prospects and group position.
By the numbers
The winners controlled the rebounding totals with a 53-27 advantage, a 26-rebound margin that helped create the second-chance opportunity Han converted early in overtime. Her 14 rebounds accounted for a significant portion of that overall edge.
Ball security remained the major counterweight. The team committed 29 turnovers, and those mistakes yielded 27 points, allowing the game to stay close despite the pronounced advantage on the glass.
Han's final line — 22 points, 14 rebounds and four assists — stood at the center of the winning effort. Her impact was clearest when the game moved into overtime and the first five points established control of the extra period.
What to watch next
A Sept. 7 group finale will determine the next stage of the tournament picture. Quarterfinal qualification remains available, but the positioning is not yet settled after the team split its first two games.
The next test will come with two contrasting indicators from the comeback: a 53-27 rebounding advantage and 29 turnovers. Preserving the work on the boards while limiting possessions lost to mistakes will be central as the group phase concludes.