CHANGSHA-HUNAN (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - China stamped their authority on the FIBA Asia Championship on Friday by beating Iran, 70-57, and clinching a spot in the Final.

Rolling to an eighth victory in as many games, China spread their points around and led from start to finish as they ended the title defence of the Iranians.

Gong Luming's side raced into a 21-12 lead by the end of the first quarter and kept the pressure on Iran, who had won three of the last four Asian Championships but showed their vulnerability in a defeat to the Philippines earlier in the tournament.

If Iran were going to have a chance in this game, they needed to get some production on the perimeter but the team finished a woeful two of 16 from three-point range.

China are now just one victory away from a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games while Iran, who will play in the third-place game, will take part in one of the three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs) next year.

Turning Point: China dominated for most of the game but had their grip loosened in the fourth quarter when Iran went on a run to cut what had been a 14-point deficit at the end of the third quarter to just six. After a Gong Luming timeout for China, Yi Jianlian caught a pass and dunked on Hamed Ehadadi. The basket sparked an 8-0 run that killed off Iran's hopes of a comeback.

Stats Don't Lie: China were seven of 17 (41.2 percent) from behind the arc and captain Zhao Peng, who had 13 points, was two of three.

Game Hero: Yi had 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.

The Bottom Line: China were worthy winners, applying tough defensive pressure in the half-court and preventing Ehadadi from getting easy touches in the low post. Having played second fiddle to the Iranians in Asia since 2007, save 2011 when Jordan upset the Iranians in the Quarter-Finals and China beat Jordan in the title game, the Chinese are now just a victory away from another title. Should they face Japan in the championship game, it will be the teams' first meeting in the Final since 1983. China won that game, 95-71. A Philippines victory in the other Semi-Final would put them into a first-ever Final against China at the event.

FIBA