The Guangdong Southern Tigers secured their second consecutive victory by defeating the Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin 98-93 in an exhilarating match on Saturday in Dongguan, south China’s Guangdong Province.
Eager to extend their winning streak to six games, the visiting Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin started strong. With impressive accuracy from beyond the arc, they set the pace early in the game. Jarmar Gulley was on fire, sinking five three-pointers in the first quarter alone, including a spectacular four-point play that energized his team.
The home team, however, was not to be outdone. Xu Jie stepped up for the Guangdong Southern Tigers, matching Gulley’s performance by hitting five three-pointers of his own in the first half. Despite Xu’s efforts, Guangdong trailed 56-51 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Xu Jie shifted gears, focusing on playmaking and involving his teammates. Huang Rongqi, Zhang Haojia, and Troy Gillenwater capitalized on Xu’s assists, orchestrating a remarkable 14-0 run that propelled Guangdong into the lead. Shandong responded with a 7-0 run, and the third quarter concluded with the teams tied at 79-79.
As the final quarter began, Ren Junfei and Du Runwang took charge for Guangdong, contributing crucial points. Meanwhile, Shandong struggled offensively, managing just four points over nearly ten minutes. It wasn’t until Marquese Chriss sank two free throws that Shandong began to close the gap, but they still trailed 92-85 with only two minutes remaining.
In a tense finale, Yu Dehao and Xie Zhijie hit desperate three-pointers for Shandong, but Guangdong’s Du Runwang and Troy Gillenwater remained steady at the free-throw line, sealing the victory for the home team.
This win marks the Guangdong Southern Tigers’ second straight victory, boosting their confidence as they continue their season.
Reference(s):
Guangdong come back to beat Shandong for second straight win
cgtn.com
