Βy Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
China controlled most aspects of its game against Ivory Coast following the first 15 minutes to ultimately get a 70 – 55 win in the teams’ debut World Cup match for Group A, held in Beijing Wukesong Sports Center.
Yi Jianlian scored 19 points, including the dunk for the 51 – 66 with two minutes remaining, and grabbed nine rebounds for the Chinese side. Ailun Guo added 17 points and nine boards while Zhou Qi contributed 12 points and six rebounds.
“Obviously, I’m very happy we got the win. The important thing was that we played together tonight and everybody contributed. We are happy we got the first victory but we have to be focused on our next opponent, Poland. As the coach says: One game at a time,” China forward Zhai Xiaochuan said in the post-game presser.
Guy Edi (10 points) was the only Ivory Coast player in double figures. Mohamed Kone notched nine points and eight rebounds.
Despite poor shooting percentages (18/63 2-pointers, 11/40 3-pointers) and its many turnovers (21), the Ivorian team remained at a three-possession distance, 51 – 60, with 3:09 to go. Yet a couple of errors gave China the opportunity to make a 9 – 0 run that sealed them the victory.
‘We knew they have a big man, a fast guard. We tried to play an aggressive game, at defense first. But they came with a great zone defense in the third quarter. The tournament isn’t over for us. We have to be positive and focused,” Kone mentioned.
China wasn’t on any hot shooting streak either (1/10 from beyond the arc) but was far more efficient than their opponents to have the upper hand in the second half.
“We came back to the locker room to make some adjustments and then we fast-break baskets to get the win,” commented China coach Li Nan.
China faces Poland Monday (2/9).
“Every game is very important to us. We are obviously preparing for difficulties and adversities int he game. Overall, we believe that Poland plays at a higher level than Ivory Coast” Nan said.
Photo: FIBA Basketball