The Xinjiang Flying Tigers soared past the Beijing Ducks with a convincing 108-97 victory in Urumqi, maintaining an undefeated record at home in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
In a strategic move, Xinjiang introduced Q.J. Peterson into the starting lineup to accelerate their offense, and the decision paid off. Peterson delivered an impressive performance, scoring a game-high 30 points, including nine from beyond the arc, while also dishing out two assists in the first quarter alone.
The Beijing Ducks started strong, with Richard Solomon contributing eight points and keeping the score close at 27-24 by the end of the first quarter. However, Beijing ramped up their defensive intensity in the second quarter, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on fast-break opportunities. Zeng Fanbo and Solomon led Beijing's charge, helping the Ducks take a 52-49 lead at halftime.
The third quarter saw Beijing struggle with a four-minute scoring drought, allowing Xinjiang to unleash a dominant 19-0 run. Though Eugene German hit a crucial three-pointer to momentarily halt the Ducks' momentum, the Xinjiang squad continued to push forward. Nuni Omot's triple narrowed the gap to six points, bringing the Ducks within striking distance at 79-73 entering the fourth quarter.
In the final stretch, Zeng Fanbo attempted to rally Beijing by sinking two more three-pointers and asserting his presence on both ends of the court. Despite his efforts, Xinjiang consistently found new avenues for scoring and maintained a comfortable lead. The game was sealed when Elfuratt Mohetaner hit Xinjiang's 15th three-pointer of the night, securing an 11-point win and keeping the Flying Tigers unbeaten at home.
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Xinjiang Flying Tigers beat Beijing Ducks to remain undefeated at home
cgtn.com
