China downs Cuba in women's basketball international
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-07-14 06:46

Asian champions China outplayed Cuba 78-63 to grab their first win at the 2005 International Women's Basketball Tournament in Shanghai on Wednesday.

The Asian champions, boosted by the thundering applause and cheers from the audience, manifested its leadership in Asia as well as a powerhouse in the world by outplaying Cuba with a 40-21 lead in the first half.

"Our player did really well tonight, and they played their best," said China coach Tom Maher. "Ye Li shows a good example to the young players with her hard working and unstoppable pursuing for the win of the team."

Cuba, who beat Athens Olympic bronze medallists Russia in northeast Chinese city Harbin last week, began to find their rhythm in the third quarter, using solid defense to produce several successful blocks and shortening the gap to 58-42 to enter the forth quarter.

Cuba coach Armando Acosta Armas praised his team as well as China's defense.

"China is a strong team, and they did a good job tonight, especially their defense, We did not have much chance to break through into the ace, and our players regained some confidence in the forth quarter, but we were not lucky enough to make a comeback," said Armas, who guarded his team's third place finish in Harbin last week.