The Beijing Ducks triumphed over the Shanxi Loongs with a final score of 104-94 in an exhilarating overtime match, clinching third place at the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Club Cup held in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, on Friday night.
Shanxi kicked off the game strong, initiating an 11-4 run in the first quarter. Hamidou Diallo showcased exceptional offensive skills, scoring triples, driving to the rim, and drawing fouls, leading Shanxi to a 26-18 advantage by the end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, with Shanxi extending their lead to 38-25, Beijing responded with heightened defensive efforts, restricting Shanxi to just two points over the next two minutes. Players Eugene German and Fang Shuo contributed significant three-pointers for Beijing, narrowing the gap to a mere one point, 51-50, at halftime.
The third quarter remained tightly contested, with Shanxi maintaining a slight lead until the game's final possession. In a dramatic turn, Fang blocked Yuan Shuai's shot and scored a buzzer-beating layup, giving Beijing a 72-71 lead.
The fourth quarter saw both teams excelling from beyond the arc, with Fang, Yuan, German, and Brandon Goodwin hitting crucial three-pointers, keeping the score tied at 50-50. In the final seconds, Diallo thwarted a potential game-winning shot by German, sending the game into overtime at 89-89.
During the extra period, Beijing's extended three-point shooting proved decisive as Shanxi struggled to maintain their offensive momentum. Beijing outscored Shanxi 15-5 in overtime, ultimately securing the victory and finishing third in the CBA Club Cup.
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Beijing Ducks beat Shanxi Loongs in OT to finish third in CBA Club Cup
cgtn.com
