China hold off Great Britain for a winning start in Belgrade

BELGRADE (Serbia) - China took the first major step towards qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament with a hard-fought 86-76 victory over Great Britain in the 

With seven players in double figures, China prospered through a collective effort as they head in tomorrow's rest day knowing another victory over the weekend will be decisive.

Turning Point: China recovered from an early eight-point deficit - after a three-point barrage from GB's bench - with a 14-4 burst midway through the third to take control and break down their opponent's gritty resistance.

Game Hero: Xu Han was one to watch ahead of the tournament in Belgrade and the towering center is hard to miss, but the 20-year-old stepped up with 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting to go with 5 boards and 3 blocks to prove a handful in the paint at both ends of the floor. Ting Shao and Meng Li provided efficient support with 16 points apiece, also.

Stats Don't Lie: China were clinical in the paint across the board with 67 percent success inside the arc as they found a way past the Team GB defense with unrelenting pressure. 

Bottom Line: Half the job done for China as they settle into the tournament with an all-important win. More encouragement in defeat for GB, but one that raises the stakes heading into a huge encounter with Korea on Saturday.

 
FIBA