Entering Monday, the Great Britain men’s basketball team hadn’t won a game since 1948. Against China, Team GB rectified that, and ended a 64-year drought, with a resounding 90-58 victory.
Great Britain Vs. China, Olympics 2012: Team GB Gets First Olympic Win Since 1948
Kieron Achara led Great Britain with 16 points and six rebounds, but he was just one of five British players in double figures on the day, including 38-year-old Nate Reinking, who scored all 12 of his points on threes. Luol Deng and Pops Mensah-Bonsu, maybe the two most famous British players, were not among those players, scoring a combined six points.
China's only players in double figures were Wang Zhizhi, who had 11 points, and Yi Jianlian, who had 10.
Great Britain outscored China in every quarter, made 13 threes, and and forced 15 turnovers.
The win is also a bit of revenge for the Brits: the team that began that losing streak 64 years ago was China, which spanked Great Britain 54-25 at the 1948 Olympics.
For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation’s London 2012 Olympics Hub. For more on Olympic basketball, follow the 2012 Olympic basketball section.
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