China secured a berth into the final after winning the fourth consecutive game, beating Cuba 66-58 on Wednesday at the women's basketball invitation in Beijing.
The host team will face the United States in the last match of the preliminary round and is very likely to face the Olympic champion again in the final if the U.S. defeat New Zealand in Wednesday's game.
Center Chen Xiaoli had the game-high 17 points and eight rebounds, including three 3-pointers, while guard Miao Lijie added 15 points and eight rebounds as well for China.
"This was the hardest one of the four matches," said Chinese guard Bian Lan, who had 13 points. "Maybe we were tired. But we didn't shoot well and missed some open shots."
Suchitel Cazanas led Cuba with 17 points while Yulizeny Baro contributed 10.
After a 9-4 lead at the beginning, Cuba lost its accuracy and let China take the control on 35-29 lead in the first half.
China had no fouls in the whole third quarter, but its defence forced Cuba to a series of missed shots to extend the margin.
A 10-3 run in the fourth quarter closed it on 58-53 with 2:13 minutes to go before China picked up the defence for the fourth win in five nights.
(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2008)