FIBA Asia - China women power past Lebanon

DOHA (Asian Games) - Lijie Miao and Xiaoni Zhang scored 19 points apiece as China Women began their Asian Games title defence in style, hammering Lebanon 106-30 on Monday in the first match of Group X.

Miao and Zhang were joined by four other Chinese players in double figures, while Nan Chen and Feifei Sui each added nine rebounds as the 2002 winners gave a clear indication to their fellow competitors that taking away their crown will not be easy,

All-in-all, 11 of the 12 Chinese players who appeared scored in the game and made at least one assist.

Such was China’s dominance, that all 12 collected at least one rebound as none of the starters played more than 22 minutes.

The three-time Asian Games champions, who finished 12th at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Brazil, led 25-11 after the first quarter, allowed just five points in the second quarter and only 14 in the entire second half.

“It might have looked easy on the scoreboard,” said coach Thomas Maher. “But it’s not just about the scoreboard. It’s about playing and trying to paint the perfect picture, if you like.

“We have to evaluate how we played to our level and Lebanon to theirs.

“It’s not about the score. It’s about how you play the game and we are a developing basketball team,” he added.

Lebanon made just 25% (13 of 51) of their shots and were out-rebounded 61-23, which included surrendering 29 offensive rebounds to the Chinese.

Lebanese captain Emma Eskidjian was top scorer for the team netting 10 points in a losing course.

PA Sport