Host China came from behind to beat Jordan 88-79 at the second group stage of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers on Monday.
Once lagging behind 21-7, the Asian powerhouse made full use of their height and size in the paint to turn over the table by dominating the final period.
Prior to the match, China has lost three straight games. What's more, they played without top scorer Yi Jianlian and point guard Guo Ailun.
Captain Wu Qian scored a team-high 17 points for China and Center Han Dejun added 16 points, with Hu Jinqiu and Zhou Peng contributing 14 points apiece.
However, neither side played well from the arc as China converted seven out of their 25 three-pointers and Jordan only made a pair of 3-pointers.
Jordan entered the second half with a 6-point advantage, only to see China overtake the lead during the middle of the third quarter. Dar Tucker led Jordan to deliver a 11-2 spurt before China replied with a 7-0 spree.
Ahmad Dwairi (L) of Jordan and Han Dejun (R) of China in action during the match. /VCG Photo
The hosts started the final quarter 14-1, and Jordan couldn't find any way back since then.
Dar Tucker had a game-high 23 points for Jordan while Al Dwairi added 21 points.
Zaid Ahmed Abbas, who was fouled out after taking 16 points, blamed the referees at the post-game press briefing.
"It's a close and good game which we could have won," said Abbas. "The referees did a horrible job, and they should let the players to decide the game, not the referees."
Both Abbas and Dwairi were booked out after five personal fouls each.
During the next round, China will face Syria while Jordan plays New Zealand on November 29.