The Xinjiang Flying Tigers triumphed over the Liaoning Flying Leopards with a decisive 125-105 victory in Urumqi, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Wednesday. This win marks the end of Xinjiang’s 10-game losing streak against the reigning Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) champions.
From the outset, Xinjiang established an early lead, surging ahead 14-7 in the first quarter. However, Liaoning kept the pressure on, with Zhang Zhenlin sinking two consecutive three-pointers to narrow the gap to 23-20. Quentin Peterson responded with a jumper to maintain Xinjiang’s advantage, but Dez Wells fired back with a three-pointer, bringing the score to a tie at 25-25.
In the second quarter, Xinjiang capitalized on Liaoning’s scoring drought, extending their lead through a series of successful shots from beyond the arc. Despite Liaoning’s efforts to regroup with a timeout, Peterson remained unstoppable, propelling Xinjiang to an 18-point lead of 65-47 by halftime.
Liaoning mounted a formidable comeback in the third quarter, outscoring Xinjiang 32-21. After Wells converted two free throws, the game was tied once again at 73-73. In a pivotal moment, Qi Lin stepped up for Xinjiang, hitting two back-to-back three-pointers, ensuring his team entered the final quarter with an 86-79 lead.
The fourth quarter saw Zhao Rui emerge as Xinjiang’s hero, scoring all 14 of his points during this period. His dominant performance allowed Xinjiang to rapidly extend their lead to double digits, ultimately securing a victory that Liaoning could not overturn.
“Although we won the game, I think we still need to recognize the mistakes we made on the court so we can make targeted improvements next time we play against each other,” Zhao Rui told CGTN Sports Scene’s Liu Jiaqi after the victory.
Liaoning’s head coach Yang Ming acknowledged Xinjiang’s unique playing style under the guidance of Liu Wei. “This season, Xinjiang’s tough style of play, especially in rebounding, defense, and transition, is indeed very unique,” Yang said. “It can also be seen that this change has not been made by other teams.”
This significant win not only boosts Xinjiang’s confidence but also adds an intriguing dynamic to the CBA season, as teams adapt to the evolving strategies demonstrated on the court.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
