The Xinjiang Flying Tigers clinched a 95-86 victory against the Qingdao Eagles in an exhilarating Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Club Cup matchup held in Qingdao, Shandong Province, on Saturday.
The game kicked off with both teams exchanging leads multiple times in the first quarter, with Qingdao securing a narrow 27-23 advantage by the end of the period. The Flying Tigers faced a setback early in the second quarter when their starting guard, Zhao Rui, had to exit the game due to an ankle injury.
Zhao Rui's injury marked his second appearance since returning from his initial injury, limiting his playtime to just five minutes and three points. His tenure with the team since 2023 has been marred by injuries, having participated in only 14 games last season and five so far this season.
Despite Zhao's exit, Xinjiang surged forward, outscoring Qingdao 30-18 in the second quarter and leading 53-48 at halftime. The momentum continued into the third quarter, where the Flying Tigers executed a decisive 12-0 run, extending their lead to 80-64.
Qingdao mounted a fierce comeback in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap to 87-84 by capitalizing on Xinjiang's temporary scoring drought. However, Xinjiang responded with a remarkable 15-0 run, sealing their victory.
The win was secured by standout performances from Qin Lin and QJ Peterson, who delivered crucial four-point and three-point plays, respectively, ensuring the Flyers' triumph over the Eagles.
Reference(s):
Xinjiang Flying Tigers reject comeback efforts by Qingdao Eagles
cgtn.com
