reflections
June 17th, 2008 Yi Scores 26 In Victory Over Croatia

Jim Paschke of Bucks.com reports that Bucks forward Yi Jianlian tallied 26 points for the Chinese National Team in a victory over Croatia on Monday.

Yi Jianlian’s return to basketball exploded on Monday in China’s third straight victory over Croatia.

The Bucks power forward erupted for 26 points with strong play under and around the basket. As in game one, China scored its first points on a pair of free throws by Yi.

After trailing 14-13 at the end of the first quarter, Croatia opened the second period with a 9-0 run to lead 22-13. Later, Yi drew two straight fouls, and hit all four free throws to pull China with 4 at 26-22. Yi then went to work with several baskets in the paint and gave China a 30-29 lead. China led 33-31 at the half.

Early in the third quarter, Yi attacked the basket scoring 7 straight points to lead 40-31. China took a commanding 53-30 lead after three quarters and held off Croatia to win 80-76.

Yi will lead China against Lithuania next Sunday and Tuesday, before a pair of games with Australia.

Yi also racked up eight points and seven boards in June 11th’s matchup with Croatia.

Let’s hope that there is plenty more where that came from, and that Yi integrates that “around the basket” work into his game next season. God knows that he failed to do that, for the most part, in his rookie campaign.

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Posted By: Dustin Chapman

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