Asian champions China held off a strong late surge from South Korea to beat the hosts 80-76 here onMonday and claimed the title of the women's basketball tournament at the 2002 Busan Asian Games.

Trailing 63-53 after three quarters, South Korea opened the fourth with a 21-4 run to store a 74-67 lead with four minutes and35 seconds remaining.

China pushed back with a 9-2 run and Sui Feifei made two free throws with 1:45 to go to tie it 76-76.

Chen Luyun had a short basket with 45 seconds left and added anopen layup nine seconds from the end to seal the victory for the Chinese team.

China, who finished sixth in September's world championship in Jiangsu, China where South Korea placed fourth, kept a narrow leadin most of the first half before improving to 42-35 at half time with a 5-0 run concluding the second quarter.

Later on Monday, China and South Korea will vie for the men's basketball gold.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2002)