Zhejiang Upsets Champions Liaoning 101-88 Behind Gabe York’s 31 Points

In a thrilling matchup on Sunday night, the Zhejiang Golden Bulls secured a convincing 101-88 victory over the reigning three-time Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) champions, the Liaoning Flying Leopards, in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province. The win marked Zhejiang’s second consecutive triumph and highlighted Gabe York’s outstanding performance.

York was the standout player for the Golden Bulls, delivering an impressive 31 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. His sharpshooting was particularly noteworthy in the second quarter, where he sank six three-pointers and scored 23 of Zhejiang’s 27 points, keeping his team within striking distance during the first half.

The game began with the Golden Bulls racing to a 7-0 lead, but the Flying Leopards quickly regrouped. Kyle Fogg’s layup broke Liaoning’s early scoring drought and energized his teammates, tightening the game to 20-18 by the end of the first quarter.

Liaoning capitalized on their momentum in the second quarter. Dez Wells and James Webb combined for 17 points, propelling the champions to a 42-30 lead. However, York’s resilience shone through as he went 7-for-9 from the field, ensuring Zhejiang trailed by only two points at halftime with a score of 49-47.

The third quarter saw both teams grappling with offensive struggles. Zhejiang managed only five points in the first five minutes, but reversed their fortunes as Liaoning faced their own scoring difficulties. The Golden Bulls closed the quarter on an 8-2 run, entering the fourth quarter ahead 78-70.

Despite a 6-0 surge by the Flying Leopards at the start of the final quarter, their poor long-range shooting hindered a comeback. Liaoning missed 25 of their 34 three-point attempts, while Zhejiang found success, connecting on half of their shots from beyond the arc.

The victory underscores the defending champions’ recent challenges. Since the second phase of the regular season commenced in late November, Liaoning has fallen short in key matchups, losing eight of their last twelve games against top-tier teams.