The Xinjiang Flying Tigers secured a 108-97 victory over the Beijing Ducks in Urumqi, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Monday, maintaining their unblemished home record in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
Xinjiang’s strategic move to include Q.J. Peterson in the starting lineup paid off handsomely. Peterson energized the offense, scoring nine of his game-high 30 points in the first quarter while shooting 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and adding two assists. The Flying Tigers edged ahead to lead 27-24 by the end of the opening period.
In the second quarter, Beijing intensified their defensive efforts, forcing turnovers and missed shots from Xinjiang. Capitalizing on these opportunities, the Ducks launched several fast breaks. Both Zeng Fanbo and Richard Solomon made significant contributions, with powerful plays at the rim, helping Beijing secure a 52-49 lead at halftime.
The momentum swung dramatically at the start of the third quarter. Beijing endured a four-minute scoring drought, during which Xinjiang unleashed a remarkable 19-0 run. Eugene German eventually broke the deadlock for the Ducks with a three-pointer six minutes into the quarter. Nuni Omot’s subsequent triple helped Beijing narrow the deficit to six points, trailing 79-73 as they entered the final quarter.
Zeng Fanbo stepped up in the fourth quarter, showcasing dominance on both ends of the court. He drilled two three-pointers and delivered a key block against Peterson. However, the Flying Tigers continued to find new sources of offense, maintaining a lead of at least five points throughout. Elfuratt Mohetaner sealed the victory by hitting Xinjiang’s 15th three-pointer of the night, culminating in an 11-point win over the Ducks.
This triumph solidifies the Xinjiang Flying Tigers’ formidable home presence as they continue their quest in the CBA season.
Reference(s):
Xinjiang Flying Tigers beat Beijing Ducks to remain undefeated at home
cgtn.com
