In a thrilling showdown on Sunday, the Sichuan Blue Whales delivered a stunning upset against the Guangdong Southern Tigers, winning 104-94 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. This marks Guangdong's second consecutive loss in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
The last time Sichuan triumphed over Guangdong was over seven years ago on January 11, 2017. This long-awaited victory was propelled by the outstanding performance of American guard Edmond Sumner. Sumner posted a double-double with 32 points and 11 rebounds, along with seven assists and three steals, making him the star of the night.
Half of Sumner's impressive score came during the explosive third quarter, where Sichuan outscored Guangdong 41-15. Overcoming a six-point deficit from the first half, Sichuan surged ahead to hold a commanding 92-72 lead by the end of the third quarter.
\"He is very self-disciplined, and sets a very good example for our domestic players,\" praised Sichuan's head coach Han Shuo during an interview with CGTN Sports Scene's Liu Jiaqi. \"His attitude in life, training, and towards the game is very worthy of learning for the young players.\"
Defense played a crucial role in Sichuan's victory. While Guangdong's Xu Jie achieved a season-high 32 points, Sichuan's defense limited his field goal attempts to just two in the third quarter. Without Xu's offensive prowess, the Guangdong team struggled to find their rhythm, allowing Sichuan to take control of the game.
This victory not only breaks a long losing streak against Guangdong but also showcases Sichuan's strategic gameplay and Sumner's exceptional talent, setting a positive tone for their upcoming matches.
Reference(s):
Sichuan upset Guangdong with breakout rally in third quarter
cgtn.com
