'Iolani became the first American boys basketball team to play and defeat a high school opponent from China on U.S. soil, holding off Ji Lin, 71-57, last night on the opening night of the 'Iolani Prep Classic.

The Raiders will play Rice (New York), ranked No. 10 in USA Today's Super 25, at 5 p.m. tomorrow.

Ji Lin, a province champion from Northern China, will play Saint Louis at 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Ji Lin entertained the crowd of about 800 at 'Iolani with a passionate, athletic and fast-paced style of basketball. But 'Iolani took the lead late in the first period and withstood several comebacks by Ji Lin for the historic victory.

"Very different style," said Michael Van, a Nike China representative who serves as the team's interpreter, when asked to relay the Chinese coaches' first impression of American high school basketball. "It is faster, the speed is so fast, and so much energy and skills."

But for much of the game, it appeared as if Ji Lin was the one trying to set a fast pace. Almost all of its baskets came on fast-break, coast-to-coast finishes, several on acrobatic layups.

The Raiders led 15-8 after one period, and built it to 29-18 after Pablo Warner's short banker with 2:42 remaining in the half. Ji Lin closed to 31-26 before Warner's two free throws gave 'Iolani a 33-26 halftime lead.

The Raiders opened up the lead to 42-28 early in the third quarter, but Ji Lin again rallied and cut it to 47-41 heading into the fourth. Ji Lin got as close as 54-51 with 3:23 left, but freshman Trevyn Tulonghari's three-point play helped 'Iolani push the lead back to nine, and the Raiders made all six of their free throws in the final minute to hold off any final comeback.

Warner finished with 16 points to lead 'Iolani. Quinpeng Wang led Ji Lin with 16 points.

JI LIN 8 18 15 16 — 57

'IOLANI 15 18 14 24 — 71

JI LIN — Zhiyang Li 3, Zihao Liu 3, Qinpeng Wang 16, Tianwei Han 4, Jinchao Wang 2, Zhenyu Wang 8, Bowen Tan 3, Donghai Liu 6, Xiaolong Yang 0, Xiangyang Zhan 12. Totals 20 16-25 57.

'IOLANI — Kela Marciel 11, Andrew Skalman 2, Nick Christman 0, Trevyn Tulonghari 8, Berton Wong 13, Brandon Ball 0, Bricen McCartney 4, Pablo Warner 16, Kainoa Scheer 4, Taylor Mounts 13, Jarrett Arakawa 0. Totals 23 22-33 71.

3-point goals: Ji Lin 1 (Q. Wang). 'Iolani 3 (Wong 2, Mounts).

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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