The Guangdong Southern Tigers delivered a spectacular comeback on Monday night, defeating the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 102-95 in a thrilling Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) match. This victory marked Guangdong’s first home win of the season and handed Xinjiang their first loss.
Despite their reputation as 11-time CBA champions, Guangdong struggled in the first half. The home team grappled with errors and poor shooting, failing to connect on any of their 11 three-point attempts in the opening quarter. By the end of the first quarter, Guangdong trailed 17-28, and the deficit widened to 20 points by halftime.
The second half told a different story. Guangdong found their rhythm as players Troy Gillenwater, Hu Mingxuan, and Xu Jie ignited the offense. The team steadily chipped away at Xinjiang’s lead, showcasing tenacity and resilience. Midway through the fourth quarter, Guangdong leveled the score, setting the stage for a tense finale.
In the game’s critical moments, Xu Jie, Du Runwang, and Gillenwater sank consecutive long-range shots, turning the tide in Guangdong’s favor. Xu Jie, overcoming previous performance struggles, shone with 22 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Gillenwater contributed 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist, while Hu Mingxuan added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
“We knew we had to step up in the second half,” said Xu Jie after the game. “Our team showed great spirit and determination to overcome the deficit.”
This win propels Guangdong to their second consecutive victory. They will aim to continue their momentum when they face the Fujian Sturgeons at home on Wednesday.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
