Iran Beats S. Korea in Asian Basketball Championships

Iran's charismatic point guard Mahdi Kamrany scored 15 points and dished out five assists as the defending champions remained undefeated at the Asian Basketball Championships Wednesday, beating South Korea 79-62 in a fast-paced match.

Kamrany hit three three pointers as he directed Iran's offence, while Memphis Grizzlies centre Hamed Haddadi had 17 points and 11 rebounds and guard Aren Davoudichegani scored 10.

Iran top Group E and face Middle Eastern rivals Jordan in Friday's quarter-finals.

"We were well prepared, we knew they were very fast, so we played hard defense and stopped them and got the win," Davoudichegani said.

"We are the champions here so we have to be ready to play hard, and we did."

Iran jumped out to a 23-13 lead in the first quarter, before South Korea came back on some inspired play from point guard Yang Dong-Geun, who got the East Asians to within six points at 26-32 early in the second period.

But South Korea got no closer, with Iran dominating the interior, taking a commanding 40-25 rebound advantage, including 12 offensive boards that led to 15 second-chance points.

Yang ended the game with 14 points for South Korea, who suffered their first loss of the championships, while teammate Moon Tae-Jong had 10 points and 16 rebounds.

"We are not happy with how we played. There is not much to say other than this," a dejected South Korean coach Hur Jae said.

But all was not good for Iran either, after top scoring forward Samad Brahami was carried off in the third quarter with what appeared to be a badly sprained left ankle.

In other Group E action Wednesday, Taiwan beat Malaysia 51-36 and Lebanon dispatched Uzbekistan 50-26, while in Group F Jordan outlasted the United Arab Emirates 94-80.

In the late games, Philippines faces Syria, while hosts China are up against Japan.