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BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- An 18-points deficit in 3rd quarter gave Chinese national basketball team a second loss in as many games in 2016 Stankovic Cup after losing to France 48-63 here on Wednesday.
China had a good start in the game, took a 9-2 lead in the first quarter. But France quickly bounced back after a short break and finished the first quarter with 20-15. Both sides lost their form in the second quarter and they only got 16 points in aggregate in 10 minutes, the host trailed 1 point after the first half.
Chinese key player Yi Jianlian didn't play last night which saw China lost to Nigeria 71-79. The former NBA star returned to the game today, obtaining 12 points and 5 rebounds. But China suffered a nightmare in 3rd quarter in which they only got 5 points whereas the opponent got 23.
Although the host spared no efforts to chase in the last quarter, it was too late and the French team finally secured the victory with 63-48.
China's Guo Ailun got 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. But the highly-expected Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin, both were picked in this year's NBA Draft, got only 4 and 2 points respectively.
In another game held in the afternoon, Argentina beat Nigeria 71-49 for its first victory in the tournament.
The last round of this year's Stankovic Cup will be on Friday in which China takes on Argentina and France plays Nigeria. Enditem
