Wang Siyu (3rd L) of China competes during the Basketball Women's Gold Medal Game between China and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

HANGZHOU, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- China successfully defended its title in the women's basketball with a 74-72 victory over arch-rival Japan at the Asian Games here on Thursday.

China, who sits second in the world rankings, surged to a 26-16 lead after the first quarter. After Japan tied at 72-all, Wang Siyu made a crucial layup in the final seconds as China pocketed its seventh gold at the continental multi-sports showpiece.

China has been riding high in women's basketball over the past two years, with the Asiad gold coming on the heels of its runner-up at the FIBA Women's World Cup last year, and the FIBA Women's Asia Cup title in July. 

Zhang Ru (2nd L) of China competes during the Basketball Women's Gold Medal Game between China and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Li Meng (R) of China competes during the Basketball Women's Gold Medal Game between China and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Zhang Ru (L) of China competes during the Basketball Women's Gold Medal Game between China and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Li Meng (R) of China competes during the Basketball Women's Gold Medal Game between China and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)

Li Yuan (2nd L) of China competes during the Basketball Women's Gold Medal Game between China and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Wang Siyu (L) of China competes during the Basketball Women's Gold Medal Game between China and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)

Li Meng (L) of China competes during the Basketball Women's Gold Medal Game between China and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)

Li Yueru (C) of China competes during the Basketball Women's Gold Medal Game between China and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)