TEHRAN - Korea used a big second half to beat Iran, 83-60, and reach the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 Quarter-Finals, Wednesday at the Prince Hamza Hall.

The defending champions overcame a narrow deficit after the first quarter and took a four-point lead entering the break, before pressing on the gas pedal harder in the third canto to zoom away toward sweeping Group B with a 3-0 record.

Lee Jewon led the way with 21 points on 3 triples as he powered their 10-2 run to open the third for the 46-33 lead with less than eight minutes to go on the clock, and they would never relinquish the double-digit lead all the way to the end.

The Koreans unloaded a total of 47 points in the last two chapters and held their foes to just 29 as they continued to have the number of Iran in men's U18 competitions.

It could be recalled that Korea beat Iran in the Quarter-Final of the 2022 meet in the latter's home floor, where they came back from a big double-digit deficit to snatch the victory, eventually winning it all to end their 22-year wait for U18 glory.

Son Yuchan made his presence felt in their latest win with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals for an efficiency of 23. Yang Jongyun added 10 to help Korea earn their biggest win over Iran in the youth level since 2000.

Carrying the load for Iran, on the other hand, was Amirmahyar Keramati as he finished with 25 points on a 6-of-7 clip from beyond the arc in the defeat.

Pedram Fallah was his lone back-up with 14 points and 5 rebounds for the young Team Melli, which finished as the 2-seed of the group with a 2-1 card, fiba.com reported.