Boomers beaten by China

The Boomers have lost to China by six points in the first of two international friendlies in Beilun on Sunday night.

Toronto Raptors forward Nathan Jawai top-scored for Australia with 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds while Gold Coast Blaze guard James Harvey, who was named captain for the tour prior to the game, added 12 points and four rebounds.

Townsville's Peter Crawford had an outstanding defensive game and finished with nine points but it was not enough as the home side won 84-78.

China led 11-3 after the opening minutes to the delight of a vocal crowd but the Boomers fought back to tie the game after six minutes before taking a 23-19 lead at quarter-time.
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The lead continued to change hands through a physical second quarter and at half-time China had re-taken the advantage by one point, 42-41.

Crawford's efforts restricted the Chinese perimeter players in the second half while Jawai remained a huge presence inside the paint as the Boomers fought their way back into the game with some excellent rebounding.

But China extended the lead to five points with one quarter to play before running out six-point winners.