Zhou Qi (left) of China shoots during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian qualifier between China and Bahrain in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Aug 29, 2022. (KALIZHAN OSPANOV / XINHUA)

NUR-SULTAN - China's men's basketball team defeated Bahrain 80-67 in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers in Nur-Sultan on Monday evening.

Zhou Qi led China with 22 points and seven rebounds, followed by 14 points from Zhu Junlong. Hu Mingxuan added 12 points.

China started the game with a 6-0, followed by a 15-2 run to finish the first quarter on 25-11

Mustafa Husein Ali Ahmad Rashed had a team-high 24 points for Bahrain.

China started the game with a 6-0, followed by a 15-2 run to finish the first quarter on 25-11. Bahrain took a 9-0 sprint in the second quarter to cut the deficit to five points on 31-26 before China answered with a 9-0 to usurp the lead on 42-33 at the break.

The Chinese players found their rhythm in the third period as Zhou made a morale-enhancing dunk with two minutes and 29 seconds left and China expanded the advantage to 16 points to enter the final quarter.

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Bahrain made three 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter to trim the deficit to seven points. China asserted the authority in the paint as Zhou made two free throws and a crucial layup in the final minute to help China seal the victory.