The Chinese women's basketball team overcame a last-minute strong back to defeat visiting Cuba 63-56 in Xinhui, China's Guangdong province, on Thursday.

China, who won their 10 of 13 games they played since gathering for the Beijing Olympics in March, took control early, leading by 12 points with 6:10 to play in the first and by as many as 13 for a 41-28 edge, the biggest lead, midway through the third quarter.

Entering the fourth quarer with a 50-42 lead, however, China were threatened after Cuba, who was disqualified for the Olympics last month, fought back using a 14-9 spur to cut the gap within three points, 56-59.

Two pair of free throws from Center Chen Nan and shooting guard Miao Lijie gave China a 63-56 victory.

Both sides will meet again at Zhongshan and Dongduan in Guangdong Provence on Saturday and Monday in the three-game series.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2008)