Short-handed China suffered a 78-55 defeat to hosts Italy in the last match of a four-nation basketball tournament.

China led the game 29-28 before the break, but the early loss of Wang Zhizhi and the high number of fouls by key players hurt the Asian champion in defeat.

Former NBA center Wang scored 19 points in the first half before being sent off the court due to a foot injury.

China's main scorer Yi Jianlian, however, fouled out in early the fourth quarter with a poor score of six points.

Du Feng added nine points for China.

In an earlier match, France edged Japan 82-63.

With three victories, Italy secured top place ahead of France to win the international men's tournament, while China finished third.
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(CRI July 3, 2006)