体坛英语新闻：China smash Slovenia 85-62 in international basketball challenge

YONGCHENG, China, Jul.18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese men's national basketball team smashed Slovenia 85-62 in their first clash of a three-game series challenge here in Yongcheng, Henan Province, on Wednesday night.

China set up a lead at the end of the first quarter, and then widened the gap to 10 points after the second quarter.

China dominated the game in the second half and led by as many as 35 points in the last quarter.

Wu Qian scored a game-high 17 points, Zhou Peng added 11 points with 14 minutes on field, and Hu Jinqiu had 10 points.

"All the players did well tonight, rebounds and three-pointers were also good. My players showed their ability and attitude," said Du Feng, head coach of the national team.

"It's a good beginning for us, I saw a new team tonight. Our speed was so fast and made opponent uncomfortable," said Zhou Peng.

The next two games will be played in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province on Friday and in Jilin city of Jilin province on Sunday.

As a part of Chinese Basketball Association president Yao Ming's reform initiative, the Chinese national team has been split into two sides, Team Blue and Team Red, coached by Du Feng and Li Nan respectively.