In a high-intensity match filled with fouls and free throws, the Shanxi Loongs triumphed over the Fujian Sturgeons 122-117 on Tuesday night in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. The game, marked by 60 fouls and 73 free throws, kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
Despite Fujian’s position at the bottom of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) standings and Shanxi’s rank as second, the visitors dominated the first half with aggressive offense. Fujian quickly established a lead, going 20-5 in free throws just five minutes into the second quarter.
A remarkable 14-0 run by Fujian early in the second quarter extended their advantage to 44-27, forcing Shanxi to call a timeout. The home team rallied with a 7-0 run led by Hamidou Diallo and Ge Zhaobao but still trailed 62-52 at halftime.
Adjusting their strategy in the second half, Shanxi increased their offensive aggression. Brandon Goodwin and Zhang Ning spearheaded a 12-2 run in just two minutes, propelling Shanxi into the lead. They extended the margin to six points at 80-74 after Goodwin’s layup. However, a series of fouls against Shanxi allowed Fujian to retaliate with a 6-0 run, and the third quarter concluded with Fujian ahead 91-88.
In the fourth quarter, Zhang Ning found his shooting touch from beyond the arc, sinking three crucial three-pointers. He scored 12 points in the quarter, contributing to Shanxi’s 34-26 advantage over Fujian. Goodwin and Yuan Shuai also connected from long range, bolstering Shanxi’s offense.
Despite Joseph Young’s efforts to keep Fujian in contention with key shots and quick fouls, the team’s defensive rebounding faltered. Continuous offensive rebounds by Yuan Shuai in the closing seconds sealed the victory for Shanxi.
The win solidifies Shanxi’s position near the top of the CBA standings, while Fujian continues to search for answers at the bottom of the table.
In another game on Tuesday night, the Guangzhou Loong Lions defeated the Jiangsu Dragons 100-91 on the road, snapping their 11-game losing streak.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
