China's Wang Shipeng (front) goes up for a basket during the men's semifinal of basketball against Iran at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 25, 2010. China advanced into the final after winning the match 68-65. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)
GUANGZHOU, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Wang Shipeng hit the game-winning three-pointer with 13.6 seconds to go to help China turn the table around for a 68-65 win over Iran in the men's basketball competition at the Asian Games here on Thursday.
Wang, who had 20 points, caught the pass from Sun Yue on the top of the left arc for the winner when neither team managed a basket in almost one minute after it was tied on 65 to all.
In 2006 World Championships, Wang beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer to help China defeat Slovenia 78-77 in the preliminary round.
"The basket reminded me that match in 2006. I feel good, feel relieved. Thinking about all the things we've been through before the Asian Games. I think we'll be better prepared for the finals," Wang said.
He bounced and waved for about 15 seconds after the winning shot when Iran called a timeout before his teammates welcomed him back to the seats with hugs.
"Any team could have won the game as both teams played well today," China's head coach Robert Donewald Jr. said. "Fortunately we made the big shot and won the game."
China trailed 12-8 in the first quarter when they were beaten on the glass. Neither team could do better on offence, but Iran were more aggressive on rebounding.
Thursday's match was tagged as a revenge for China after their 70-52 loss to Iran at the Asian championships in 2009. China needed the victory for the team-rebuilding when Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian missed the Asian Games due to their NBA duties.
China had a one-point lead in the first half and after three quarters, 49-48. Neither team had clear advantage.
Iran opened up in the fourth quarter with a 12-4 run to lead 59-52 with 6:19 minutes to go.
Veteran Wang Zhizhi stepped up with two baskets in China's three consecutive successful possessions to tie it on 59-59.
And it was Wang Shipeng's time when Iran led again by 63-59. He hit the first three-pointer before Wang Zhizhi made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:09 minutes left on the clock.
Iran's guard Mahdi Kamrani made two quick free-throws to tie for the last time on 65-all prior to the crucial shot from Wang Shipeng.
