WNBA star Miao Lijie scored 25 points but failed to save China
from an 80-74 loss to the Czech Republic at the four-nation women's
basketball tournament in Henan.
China allowed the Czech Republic to streak away with a 47-33
lead at the half time.
The team then tightened up at both ends of the court, managing
to reduce the gap to eight points with a quarter to play.
The scores locked at 75-74 with 30 seconds left, but the Czech
Republic was able to string together a series of plays for a
six-point victory.
China's 19-year-old center Liu Dan nipped 14 points for the home
team.
The team's final game is with Australia, who lost their second
match to Russia 71-64.
(CRI July 6, 2006)
