2012 London Summer Olympics

[ Check Out Stunning Pictures from the Opening Ceremony ]

Already out of the medal race, Great Britain gave its home fans something to be proud of, slaying basketball giant China, 90-58, Monday for its first-ever win in the Olympic men's basketball event.

Kieron Achara scored 16 points, Nate Reinking had 12 and Drew Sullivan contributed 11 as the 43rd-ranked British defeated the No. 10-ranked Chinese, who went winless for the second time since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

"This was an amazing game, an amazing feeling to get this win in-front of very passionate fans who have stood by us throughout," said forward Joel Freeland, who scored 10 points.

"China was tough and very quick so we had to be ready for that and we concentrated on our strengths and played to that really," said Freeland, who will play for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA.

"It would have been better if we could have gotten through. We were so close. But it was a great finish," he added.

Chicago Bulls superstar Loul Deng said the victory will give basketball more popularity and British fans would give more attention to it.

The British already got all the attention when it almost pulled an upset over No. 2 Spain before losing 79-78, and put up a fight before losing to Brazil, 67-62.

"We wanted to come out and make history," said Great Britain coach Chris Finch. "Our guys were up for that challenge. It's what we needed. It's what the basketball community in general needed. We're very proud."

China jumped to a quick 7-0 lead but the British retaliated with a 20-5 run to grab a 27-15 lead after the opening quarter.

With most of their starters in foul trouble, Great Britain's reserves stepped up in the second quarter to increase their lead to 46-31 at the half.

The British outscored the Chinese in the third quarter, 26-17, to further extend their lead to 72-48 entering the final period.

Wang Zhizhi, China's first NBA player, scored 11 points in his Olympic farewell while Yi Jianlian added 10 points and 14 rebounds.

 

 

Great Britain Crushes China, Nets First Olympic Basketball Win