China beat Jordan for Asian basketball championship

Forward Yi Jianlian knocked down a free throw with seven seconds left to give China a 70-69 victory over Jordan Sunday to win the Asian championship and secure a berth to the 2012 London Olympics. Yi scored 25 points to lead hosts China to their 15th Asian title in a pressure-packed game before a wild capacity crowd in Wuhan. The championship was China's first since superstar Yao Ming retired in July and signals that the world's most populous nation will remain a power in the region without the former NBA giant. China's basketball team have represented Asia at every Olympic Games since 1976. Silver medallists Jordan and third-placed South Korea still have a chance to qualify for London if they can take one of the three spots on offer at next year's Olympic qualifying tournament. Jordan were led by Rasheim Wright with 26 points, including his team's last eight of the game.