Taiwan rallied behind point guard Lee Hsueh-lin in the final quarter to beat Iraq 86-77 in its third preliminary game of the 2010 Stankovic Cup tournament held in Beiruit, Lebanon Monday to increase its won-lost records to 2-1.
Lee had 9 points in the final 10 minutes as Taiwan, which led by as many as 11 points in the third quarter before a five-minute drought almost spoiled the game, overcame a 12-point deficit thanks to a timely 10-0 rally in the final period against its unfamiliar opponents.
According to Liberty Times, this is Iraq's first apprearance in Asian basketball competition in 23 years. It last played in the 1987 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, Liberty Times reported.
With five players over 200cm, including two players standing at 209cm, Iraq enjoyed a height advantage against the smaller Taiwanese team, which could only counter Iraqi with their porimeter shooting.
Leading 45-34 at the half, Taiwan hit the wall after intermission. It failed to scored in five minutes during which Iraq answered with a 19-0 run and led by 12 in the end of the third period.
Chen Shun-hsiang had 16 points to pace Taiwan, which made 13 three-pointers in the game. Lee Hsueh-lin followed his brilliant performance in the last game against Kazakhstan with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals.
Yang Ching-min added 13 while Chien Chia-hung had 12. Tseng Wen-ting had 8 points and 10 rebounds.
Taiwan had a rest day on Tuesday and will meet Iran in its next and the final preliminary game. It has clinched a berth in the second round.