CHN – Pivotal third quarter helps China get by Korea

ZHANGZHOU (Asian Games) – Veteran Wang Zhizhi scored four of his 16 points in a pivotal third quarter momentum swing that helped China get the better of Korea 76-66 in the men’s basketball tournament at the Asian Games.

The win saw China improve to 4-0 mark in Group E.

Korea led 38-35 at halftime, but the home side regained control with a 10-2 run to start the third quarter and the visitors couldn’t fight back.
Sun Yue had 19 points to lead all scorers.

Seung-Jun Lee, who had impressed in Korea’s first three games, was kept in check, finishing with 13 points.

Meanwhile, Jordan needed overtime to see off stubborn Uzbekistan 68-63.

Down 35-22 at the break, the Uzbeks came back to tie the game at 57 before eventually succumbing in the extra session.

North Korea hammered Mongolia 88-67 to register their first win of the tournament and, with the win, stand a good chance of booking their place into the quarter-finals even with a loss to Uzbekistan.
China, Korea and Jordan are assured of advancing to the last eight.

In Group F, Qatar handed Japan their first defeat in an 88-87 thriller.

Targuy Ngombo erupted for 33 points to help his team bounce back from an opening day defeat to win their last three games and bring Japan’s perfect run to an end.
Iran survived Chinese Taipei’s comeback to edge out a 73-72 win that saw them improve to 3-1, matching Japan and Qatar’s marks.

Hamed Afagh led all scorers with 19 points.

Taipei dropped to 1-3 in the process and their hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals were dealt a blow.

In the day’s other game, the Philippines tightened their hold on fourth place in the group with a 78-57 defeat of India.

The minnows, looking for their first win, trailed 21-14 at the end of the opening period before getting back within 31-30 at the break.

However, the Philippines then used a 32-11 third quarter run that blew the game wide open and put the result beyond doubt.

FIBA