体坛英语新闻：Three-pointers gift Jordan 86-62 win over China in FIBA World Cup qualifier

AMMAN, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Jordan took three pointers as their pivotal weapon to register an 86-62 rout of China in a FIBA World Cup Asian qualifier here on Friday.

Jordanian players made 11 of 23 shots beyond the arc, while the visiting Chinese side missed 26 out of their 32 three-pointer attempts. The young Chinese squad also fared below par on the free throw with only 10 of 24.

"Today is the worst game for us over the two years. We had bad three-pointer shots and free throws, and let opponents get 21 offensive rebounds. We didn't play as physically as them and we couldn't make shots facing the contact," admitted China head coach Li Nan.

Dar Tucker put up the game-high of 32 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out five assists for Jordan.

The 35-year-old Zaid Abbas, formerly having played in several Chinese clubs, notched 20 points and 10 boards.

"The home atmosphere helped us a lot. I'm happy with the team's performance. Our opponents are a very young team," said Jordan coach Joseph Anthony Stiebing.

After a 13-all draw midway through the opening quarter, Tucker had five points in a row, before Malek Kanaan hit two consecutive three-pointers to compile a 24-18 advantage.

Abbas contributed all of Jordan's 10 points into the second period, and the World Cup hosts failed to put on their own response due to unfavorable performance outside the paint field and turnovers. China trailed 30-48 into the halftime.

Zhao Rui shot a much needed three-pointer after the interval, but it could not trigger China's comeback with so many misfired free throws.

Despite China's six points early in last 12 minutes, Abbas and Tucker made it safe for Jordan en route to a crucial win in World Cup spot contention.

Zhao Rui led China's scoring sheet with 20. Former NBA center Zhou Qi added 19 points and 10 rebounds.

China will visit Syria in Sunday's final round, while Jordan take on New Zealand.