Wang Zhizhi scored 19 points to led China a 65-60 victory over Croatia, a second-string national side, in Yantai, Shandong province, Thursday night.

Wang, who had 11 points in the second half and four in last 3:30 minutes to play, also got the help from Yi Jianlian, NBA player, who added eight points and seven rebounds.

Both played their first game for China since the team gathered early March for their injuries.

"Wang and Yi both are far from their best status," Jonas Kaziauskas, Chinese head coach, said after game. "they just recovered from injuries, so they need more time with team for their best."

China, who played without NBA All-Star Yao Ming, also because of injury, got off to a slow start, trailing 3-11 before they made an 8-2 run and finished a 15-17 first quarter, where China went 4-for-14 in shooting. it wasn't because of Croatia's stellar defense, they were just missing open shots.

After Ding Jinhui's one form foul lines, the Chinese led the game 27-26 for the first time and made it 29-26 at the intermission, a very lower scoring half.

China extended the lead to 43-36, its largest, in the third quarter before Croatia scored the next 12 points to regain the lead for 48-46.

But the hosts came right back hitting a 14-6, cupped by Liu Wei's two points for a 55-54 advantage, and China never relinquished after that.

"We played good defense," Kaziauskas said. "The defense won the game though we have long way to go in defense."

Both teams will meet in Shanghai on Saturday and in Jiyuan, Henan province, on Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2008)