In a thrilling display of determination and resilience, the Shanxi Loongs orchestrated a remarkable comeback to defeat the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 115-110 on Sunday night in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. Overturning a daunting 25-point deficit in the final quarter, Shanxi delivered an unforgettable performance that left fans on the edge of their seats.
The game began with Xinjiang imposing their dominance early on, seizing a commanding 15-point lead at 41-26 in the first quarter. Elfuratt Mohetaner was instrumental for the visitors, sinking three consecutive three-pointers, while teammate Xirzat Samat added two more from beyond the arc.
Despite playing on their home court, the Loongs struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. Harry Giles and Hamidou Diallo each contributed 10 points in the second quarter, but the rest of the team managed just eight points collectively. Xinjiang capitalized on Shanxi’s offensive woes, extending their lead to 73-54 by halftime through a balanced attack.
The third quarter saw little improvement from Shanxi, particularly from the three-point line, where they missed 25 of 27 attempts. In contrast, the Flying Tigers continued their sharpshooting, making 14 of 26 three-pointers, and six of their players reached double figures in scoring. By the end of the third quarter, Xinjiang appeared to have the game in hand with a 99-74 advantage.
However, the fourth quarter told a different story. The Loongs ignited a ferocious rally, exploiting a sudden scoring drought from Xinjiang. Shanxi unleashed a 16-0 run in less than five minutes, cutting into the massive lead with relentless energy. The home crowd erupted as the Loongs outscored the Flying Tigers 41-11 in the final period.
Brandon Goodwin, despite struggling from the three-point line all night, secured two crucial free throws to put Shanxi ahead 111-110 with under 40 seconds remaining. Han Peiyu then scored a vital basket while drawing a foul, further solidifying the Loongs’ lead. Although he missed the ensuing free throw, Xinjiang’s Q.J. Peterson missed a desperation three-pointer with seven seconds left. Shanxi sealed their extraordinary victory with two more free throws, completing one of the most impressive comebacks in recent memory.
This win marks Shanxi’s 20th victory of the season, propelling them to second place in the league standings, just ahead of the third-placed Xinjiang Flying Tigers.
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Shanxi comes back from 25 points behind to defeat Xinjiang at home
cgtn.com
