Vitalijus Kozys (L) of Lithuania competes during the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
CHENGDU, July 30 (Xinhua) -- In the men's basketball preliminary round Group A at the Chengdu Universiade, China fell to Lithuania, 79-67, on Sunday.
After a narrow defeat to Brazil, China's second preliminary-round game unfolded at Fenghuangshan Sports Park Gymnasium.
Facing off against Lithuania, a team whose average age exceeded theirs by 0.8 years, the Chinese side found themselves 18 points down by the close of the second quarter. However, under the leadership of Zou Yang, who made several successful drives to the paint, China mounted an impressive comeback in the third quarter, reducing the deficit to 13 points.
The host team, hampered by fouls and physical fatigue, could not maintain their earlier momentum into the fourth quarter, ultimately succumbing to a 79-67 loss.
Zou was a key contributor to China's efforts, netting five of six attempts for a team-high 15 points, with Gao Guohao and Wang Lanqin chipping in 12 and 10 points, respectively.
For Lithuania, Paulius Danusevicius led the charge with a game-high 16 points in his less than 22-minute appearance, while Vitalijus Kozys tallied six points and secured 13 rebounds.
Lithuania and Brazil, both boasting two wins, have locked in their spots for the elimination round. China and Chinese Taipei, both yet to secure a victory, have been eliminated.
China is scheduled to face Chinese Taipei on July 31. -
Li Yiyang (R) of China passes the ball during the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
Players of China greets the audience after the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
Vitalijus Kozys (R) of Lithuania goes up for a lay-up during the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
Kristupas Zemaitis (R) of Lithuania goes up for a lay-up during the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
Zou Yang of China goes up for a lay-up during the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
Chen Lei, head coach of China, gives instructions to players during the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
Players of China greets players of Lithuania after the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
Chen Guohao (R) of China breaks through during the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
Chen Guohao of China reacts during the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
Chen Guohao (2nd L) of China goes up for a lay-up during the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
Chen Guohao (L) of China goes up for a lay-up during the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
Chen Guohao (L) of China goes up for a lay-up during the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
Zhu Mingzhen (L) of China goes up for a lay-up during the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
Chen Guohao (Top) of China goes up for a lay-up during the basketball men's preliminary round group A match between China and Lithuania at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
