In a close match against Lithuania, former NBA player Wang Zhizhi scored 24 points plus 10 rebounds for the Chinese team, however failing to secure a victory.

 

China lost to Lithuania 96-75. The victory helped Lithuania maintain the upper hand over China 4-1 from their five encounters in the last two years.

 

Given their history, the match between the two countries was a major event at the four-nation tournament in Strassburg, France.

 

Jonas Kaslauskas, head coach of the Chinese team is a Lithuanian native. The team knocked China out during the last 16 at the Athens Olympiad.

 

China jumped to a fast start Saturday morning (Beijing Time) leading 10-4 when Lithuania called for a break, which was followed by Lithuania immediately climbing from behind to lead the first quarter 18-15.

 

China fielded in more bench players in the second quarter, going head-to-head against Lithuania most of the time. However, in the last two minutes of the quarter, several players missed the hoop and gave their Lithuanian opponents the opportunity to extend their lead to 43-36.

 

China failed to trim the gap in the third quarter despite an industrial performance from star center Wang Zhizhi and CBA MVP Yi Jianlian. China was 15 points behind, with the score set at 71-56.

 

And, in the final quarter, the gap was further expanded, as an exhausted China lost the game 96-75.

 

All twelve players on the Chinese team had been fielded onto the court. Apart from Wang Zhizhi's double-double performance, three more players recorded double digit scores.

 

China's top star Yao Ming was missing from the team as he was recovering from a foot injury in Beijing.

 

China will face World Championship group stage rivals Senegal Sunday morning (Beijing time).

 

(CRIENGLISH.com July 22, 2006)