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China on brink of Turkey exit

By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-02 09:09

Russia's Dmitriy Khvostov (R) goes to the basket past China's Zhou Peng during their FIBA Basketball World Championship game in Ankara September 1, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

China's young basketball team failed to bounce back from its loss on Tuesday night to Puerto Rico and is now on the brink of World Championship elimination after falling to Russia, 89-80, on Wednesday.

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Former LA Lakers guard Sun Yue led all scorers with 19 points, but Washington Wizards forward Yi Jianlian, one of the highest scorers so far in the tournament, failed to deliver and managed just 14 points.

China (1-3) faces group favorite Turkey in Thursday's last preliminary-round match, but even an upset over the host may not be enough to assure the team a ticket to the knockout phase of the competition as its fate is now out of its hands.

China found early offensive rhythm and held a 21-15 lead after the first quarter.

However, Russia showed its depth from the bench in the second quarter and overturned the deficit.