CHINA scored the final nine points of the game to defeat Chinese Taipei, 100-93, on Sunday in its FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers match-up at the Mall of Asia Arena.
China swept its games during Window 2 including Sunday’s contest, which was held in a neutral site with Chinese Taipei as the designated home team.
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Zhao Rui nailed the go-ahead free throws as he combined with Hu Jinqiu to lead China back from a 66-77 third-quarter deficit in a game played before a good-sized Chinese crowd.
China evened its win-loss record to 2-2 in Group B after also coming from behind to take an 87-80 win over Japan last Thursday in Okinawa.
Zhu Junlong topscored for China with 19 points, followed by Hu with 15 and Zhao with 12.
Zhao was fouled while taking a three-point shot, making two to break the 93-93 deadlock with 1:42 remaining.
Chinese Taipei came up empty in their final possessions with Hu nailing three of his four free throws in the endgame.
The loss spoiled the 26-point effort by Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) campaigner Rey Chen, who knocked down the basket that made it an 11-point lead.
Benson Lin had 22 points, while Chinese Taipei naturalized player Brandon Gilbeck had 19 points and 11 rebounds.
The scores:
China 100 - Zhu 19, Hu 15, Zhao J. 13, Zhao R. 12, He 10, Yu 9, Li 9, Liao 8, Zhang 2, Wang 0, Jiao 0.
Chinese Taipei 93 - Chen 26, Lin 22, Gilbeck 19, Lu 15, Liu 10, Manu 1, Tseng 0.
Quarters: 27-22; 50-51; 71-77; 100-93.
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