IRAN defeated skidding China, 79-70, to bag the men's basketball bronze of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.
Veteran forward Matin Aghajanpour poured in a game-high 21 points and shot 6-of-11 from beyond the arc in leading a hot shooting night for Team Melli at the Aichi International Arena.
In all, Iran shot 45 percent from three-point land on 15-of-33 shooting to get its first podium finish since bagging the silver medal in the 2018 Asiad in Jakarta.
The loss was a disappointing one for China, which was favored to win the gold prior to the tournament
But the top seeded team lost to host Japan in the semifinals, 97-77, and was relegated in the battle for the bronze.
Team Melli turned on the heat in the second half, outscoring the Chinese, 26-15, in the third quarter to finally take control of the game, 55-46.
Piter Girgoorian added 15, Mahdi Jafari with 10, and veteran Kazemi Arsalan had 15 rebounds, six assists, and four points for Team Melli.
China got 22 points from Pang Zhenglin and 12 from Li Hongquan as high-scoring guard Liao Sanning was held to just six points on 2-of-11 shooting.
Iran had more assists, 21-13, committed less turnovers, 11-16, and had more steals, 12-5.
The fourth place finish was the first non-podium ending for China since the 2014 Incheon Asiad where it placed fifth overall.
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