The Beijing Ducks kicked off their journey in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Club Cup with a hard-fought 81-76 victory over the Qingdao Eagles in Qingdao, Shandong Province, on Tuesday.
In the absence of key players like Zeng Fanbo, Beijing’s head coach Xu Limin utilized a deep rotation, giving 11 players time on the court. Nine players clocked over 10 minutes of play, demonstrating the team’s depth and versatility.
Foreign players Eugene German, Richard Solomon, and Anunwa Omot were instrumental in the Ducks’ triumph. German’s agile penetrations, Omot’s precision from beyond the arc, and Solomon’s dominance under the rim helped Beijing secure a 24-22 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The Eagles responded in the second quarter, with American power forward Jordan Mickey showcasing his talent through a series of challenging shots. His efforts narrowed the gap, leaving Qingdao trailing by just one point, 43-42, at halftime.
The momentum shifted in the third quarter as Qingdao’s Lyu Junhu sank three consecutive three-pointers. Capitalizing on Beijing’s shooting woes, the Eagles surged ahead, establishing a maximum lead of 12 points at 66-54. Despite the relentless efforts of Beijing’s Zhai Xiaochuan and German, the Ducks found themselves down 68-58 going into the final quarter.
Undeterred, the Ducks mounted a remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter with a 10-4 run. Their defense tightened, and Qingdao struggled offensively, managing only eight points in the period. Mickey led all scorers with 28 points for the Eagles, but it wasn’t enough to halt Beijing’s surge as the Ducks outscored Qingdao by 15 points in the final quarter to seal the victory.
The win marks a promising start for the Beijing Ducks in the tournament, highlighting their resilience and depth as they navigate the competition without some of their key players.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
