Ninth friendly match victory for Team China

22 points from Yi Jianlian (middle) (Photo credit: SPORTSPHOTO)Photo Gallery>>(BEIJING, July 6) -- Even with their star player Yao Ming out with an injury, the Chinese men's basketball team was still able to bring in their ninth consecutive friendly match win, edging out Australia's all-star team 89-73.

Australia's elite players were not in attendance but the team still gave China a run for its money. Fortunate for China however, their interior offense was dominant with players Yi Jianlian and Wang Zhizhi scoring 22 points and 19 points respectively.

In the second quarter, the Australians gunned for weaknesses in the Chinese defense, gaining an advantage at the baseline. The Australian defense was forced to continually double team the aggressive power forward Yi. While falling behind 36-37 in the first half, Center Wang Zhizhi propelled the team with a number of well timed assists to turn the tide in favor of the Chinese in the third and forth quarters.

The Chinese national team beat out the Australian all-stars 89-73.