Taiwan women's NT lost to Japan 73-70 in the bronze medal game Sunday and finished for a disappointing fourth place in the Asian Championship for Women.
Trailed by nine in the end of the third quarter, Taiwan cut the deficit to one but could never made the final push. Liu Chun-yi's desperation three-pointer rimmed out as time expired, eliminating Taiwan's hope to extend the game to overtime.
Chiang Feng-chun led Taiwan with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Wen Chi and Cheng Huei-yun added 12 each. Japan was led by Yuko Oga's 17 points.
In the championship game, led by veteran forward/center Jung Sung-min, host South Korea edged China 79-73 to win its first Asian crown since 1999. Jung had 18 points and 8 boards for the host nation in the title game. Beon Yeon-ha scored 15 points.
China, which has a guaranteed spot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, sent its second national team for the tournament.