Team China

Miao saves hosts as China complete Cuba series 3-0

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-10 13:07

SHENMU, Shanxi Province - The Chinese women's basketball team completed a Sino-Cuban Challenge 3-0 when they defeated the visitors 90-85 using an overtime here on Monday.

Chen Nan led China with 25 points, but it was Miao Lijie who netted    three free-throws to force the game into overtime, where China outscored the visitors 10-5 for the victory.

Four Chinese players scored double-digit, with Miao and Ma Zengyu 17 points each, Liu Dan 12 and Zhang Fan 10.

Cuba started with an aggressive offense and defense and finished the third quarter 67-64.

China rallied in the last quarter with a 6-0 run and led the game 76-75. Cuba, however, re-controlled the competition until Miao's game-tying three free-throws.

"They started well," said Chinese coach Sun Fenwu. "They defended well and scored well. We made too many turnovers."

Clenia Noblet scored 23 points for Cuba, her teammates Oyanaisis Gelis netted 22 and Yulizenis Soria added 11.

The hosts narrowly won their opening game against Cuba, 73-70, on Friday, and took the second match 82-59 in Wuhan on Sunday.

China are in Group A of the FIBA women's world championship to be held in the Czech Republic from September 23 to October 10 and will face Australia, Belarus and Canada.

Cuba failed to qualify the worlds after losing to Canada for the third place in the Americans Championship last year in Brazil.