China keep perfect record at 2017 Women's International Basketball Championship

XILINHOT, China, July 3 (Xinhua) -- China beat Canada 72-55 to keep a perfect record after all three matches at the first stop of 2017 Women's International Basketball Championship here on Monday.

The guests established an early lead 10-3 with a 8-1 streak in the first quarter. China stormed 9-2 in the following five minutes to tie the game. Sun Mengran's two points in the paint helped China surpass with 16-15.

China once led by as much as 13 points in the middle of the second quarter before the Canadians attacked the rim more to cut the deficit down to 10 points.

After the interval, the hosts gradually extended their lead to over 20 points. Canada began to find hot shooting hands in the fourth quarter by hitting consecutive three-pointers before China had the game in control by playing in a more patient manner.

China's Chen Xiaojia had the team high 14 points and four assists, and rookie Li Yueru contributed eight points, eight rebounds and all four blocks of China. Canada's Ruth Hamblin scored the game high 21 points.

This is the third and the last match of the first stop of this year's International Basketball Championship. China defeated Balarus and Lithuania on the first two days.

Starting from Thursday, China will play against the three opponents again in Liu Panshui of Guizhou Province as the team's last warm-ups before the Asian Cup in late July.