China, Jordan out of FIBA Asia Cup

BEIRUT, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Australia has booked its place in the FIBA Asia Cup semifinals here on Thursday with a 97-71 win over cup holder China, and will play New Zealand, who beat Jordan in the quarter finals 98-70.

A 14-0 run over the final four minutes of the third period led by Mitchell McCarron saw Australia take a sixteen point lead into the last quarter, where they would cruise to the final 26-point differential.

The second half saw the Australians tighten the screw defensively, allowing just 29 points.

Jason Cadee led Australia in scoring with 20 points, McCarron finished with 17, whilst Daniel Kickert and Mitch Creek added 16 points-a-piece.

Li Gen scored 19 points for China.

In the second game of the quarterfinals, New Zealand outpaced Jordan in a game marked by the dominance of the Oceania team that plays in the Asia Cup.

New Zealand scored 21 points in the 1st quarter against only 12 for Jordan, who managed to level up in the 2nd and 3rd quarter.

But in the 4th quarter, New Zealand made all the difference, scoring 32 points with only 13 for Jordan.