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Cheongju KB Stars defeated Indian Railways 81-42 at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium on Wednesday, October 21, to confirm their place in the semifinals of the FIBA Women’s Basketball League Asia 2026. The South Korean club controlled the contest early, opening with a 20-8 first-quarter advantage and pulling away to complete a convincing win over the Indian hosts.
The result secured one of the two semifinal places available from Group B. FIBA’s game report said the two teams qualifying from the group had been confirmed, with KB Stars and Japan’s Denso Iris moving on. Indian Railways, meanwhile, were unable to recover from their heavy opening loss to Denso a day earlier.
KB Stars set the tone with a 20-8 opening quarter and maintained their advantage through the game. The reigning Korean league champions were productive from long range, making 16 three-pointers as a team, while the Indian side struggled to keep pace with their scoring.
Na Yunjeong led the winners with 18 points, all from beyond the arc, as she connected on six three-pointers. Song Yunha contributed 12 points and nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double, while Yoon Yebin added 10 points. FIBA reported that every player in the KB Stars lineup scored.
The balanced contribution and perimeter shooting helped the Korean club build on its early lead and avoid a late challenge. The 39-point margin reflected the difference between the teams on the night, although the result should be read in the context of the group-stage schedule and the teams’ preparation for the tournament.
Indian Railways entered the tournament as India’s reigning national champions and the host representative. The team’s first match on October 20 ended in a 119-35 defeat to Japan’s Denso Iris, who made an immediate impact in their own tournament debut.
The two losses left Indian Railways facing a steep challenge in a group that also included two established international clubs. KB Stars’ win over the hosts confirmed the semifinal picture from Group B before the final group match between KB Stars and Denso Iris, scheduled for Thursday, October 22, to determine the group’s top position.
For Indian Railways, the tournament remains a significant opportunity to test the domestic champions against top clubs from across Asia. Their appearance marks the first time an Indian team has competed in the FIBA Women’s Basketball League Asia, a competition designed to bring national league champions and selected representatives together at club level.
- Final score: Cheongju KB Stars 81, Indian Railways 42.
- First-quarter score: KB Stars 20, Indian Railways 8.
- Na Yunjeong: 18 points, including six three-pointers.
- Song Yunha: 12 points and nine rebounds.
- Yoon Yebin: 10 points.
- KB Stars team total: 16 made three-pointers, according to FIBA’s report.
The group phase runs from October 20 to 22, with the semifinal and classification games scheduled for October 24. The championship final and third-place game are set for October 25 in Bengaluru. KB Stars will face Denso Iris in their final group fixture on October 22, with the result determining first place in Group B.
FIBA has said all games are being played at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium. Fans can follow tournament updates through the official FIBA Women’s Basketball League Asia 2026 competition page and FIBA’s official digital channels.
Indian Railways’ participation gives Indian women’s basketball a rare opportunity to compete against elite clubs from Korea and Japan on home soil. The scorelines underline the gap the domestic champions must bridge at this level, but the exposure also provides a practical benchmark for player development, tactical preparation and future international club participation.
KB Stars’ qualification adds another contender to the knockout stage, while their final group game against Denso Iris will help establish the semifinal matchups. SportsLine will continue to follow the tournament through the final round in Bengaluru.
