China maintain winning ways
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E-mail London 2012.com, July 30, 2012
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Li Shanshan and Ma Zengyu of China are all smiles after defeating Croatia 83-58 in the women's preliminary round on Day 3. |
Having upset world number four Czech Republic 66-57 in their opening game, the Asian champions recorded a more straightforward victory this time as they took a double-digit lead early in the second half and kept building.
After a close start, Nan Chen's jump-shot gave China a 39-29 lead shortly before half-time.
They started the second half with a 12-5 burst to go 51-36 up on Lijie Miao's jump-shot, using swift ball movement to create open looks.
Croatia could not find a response as strong defence from China forced turnovers, 23 in all, to keep them on the back foot.
The gap reached 60-40 late in the third quarter to leave the result beyond doubt.
Miao finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds for China while Song Gao added 13 points and Xiaoli Chen 11.
Sandra Mandir had 22 points in a losing cause for Croatia, who drop to 0-2 in the group after their opening loss to the USA.
