
(Beijing, April 21) Australia suffered a double blow tonight as they lost 60-52 to Cuba and starter Suzy Batkovic was injured and pulled out in the Aussies' second consecutive loss in the "Good Luck Beijing" CNPC 2008 Women's Basketball International Invitational Tournament. In other matches, host China and USA clinched wins over New Zealand and Korea respectively.
USA 92, Korea 56
Sylvia Fowles scored game high 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, leading USA to a 92-56 victory over Korea. USA's Lisa Leslie also reached double-double, 16 points with 12 rebounds. Candice Wiggins and Katie Smith each added 11 in the win.
Jung Sun Min and Beon Yeon Ha scored 13 apiece for Korea in the defeat and Choi Youn Ah added 11.
After this match, four-time Olympic champion USA finished with 2W-1L and Korea ended with 1W-2L.
Cuba 60, Australia 52
Australia suffered a double blow today as they lost 60-52 to Cuba and starter Suzy Batkovic was injured and pulled out in the Aussies' second consecutive loss.
Yakelyn Plutin Tizon of Cuba scored game high 22 points and had 12 rebounds. Yayma Boulet Peillon connected on 15 points in the win.
Hollie Grima was the only one Australian reaching double figures today, 10. Following Grima were Natalie Porter (9), Renae Camino (7) and Suzy Batkovic (6).
Cuba hit 15 out of 20 from the line while Australia earned only three free throws and made 2.
The Cuban players finished with 2W-1L and the Aussies 1W-2L.
China 99, New Zealand 73
In the last game held today, China extended its winning streak to three games by beating New Zeland 99-73. Chen Nan scored a game-high of 26 points and eight rebounds in the victory.
Bian Lan notched 15 points and seven rebounds and Zhang Fan added 12 points for China. Sui Feifei gradually regained her form to score 9, but guard Miao Lijie only offered one assist and two steals in the match.
Angela Marino connected on 13 points, Noni Wharemate added 11 and Micaela Cocks had 10 for New Zealand, who suffered its third consecutive loss.