In an exhilarating showdown on Sunday, the Shanxi Loongs orchestrated a remarkable comeback to defeat the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 115-110 in their home court in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province.
The game started on a high note for Xinjiang, who surged ahead with a 15-point lead by halftime, thanks to stellar performances from Elfuratt Mohetaner and Xirzat Samat. Shanxi struggled to keep up initially, with their key players Harry Giles and Hamidou Diallo contributing 10 points each, while the rest of the team managed only eight points in the first half.
Despite a challenging third quarter where Shanxi missed 25 of their 27 three-point attempts, Xinjiang maintained a strong lead, extending it to 25 points by the end of the third. However, the tides turned dramatically in the fourth quarter. Shanxi capitalized on Xinjiang's sudden field goal drought, launching a 16-0 run that shifted the momentum in their favor. The home team dominated the final period, outscoring Xinjiang 41-11 to secure a thrilling five-point victory.
Brandon Goodwin played a pivotal role, sinking two free throws late in the game to give Shanxi a narrow lead. Although Q.J. Peterson of Xinjiang attempted a last-second three-pointer, it fell short, allowing Shanxi to clinch their 20th win of the season and move up to second place in the standings, just ahead of Xinjiang.
This victory highlights Shanxi's resilience and ability to overcome significant deficits, making them a formidable contender in the league as the season progresses.
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Shanxi comes back from 25 points behind to defeat Xinjiang at home
cgtn.com
