The Zhejiang Golden Bulls clinched a remarkable 101-88 victory over the three-time defending Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) champions, the Liaoning Flying Leopards, in Shaoxing, east China's Zhejiang Province, this Sunday. This win marks Zhejiang’s second consecutive triumph.
Gabe York was the standout player for Zhejiang, delivering an impressive performance with 31 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. York's sharpshooting was crucial, as he made six three-pointers, scoring 23 of Zhejiang’s 27 points in the second quarter alone, keeping the game tightly contested in the first half.
The Golden Bulls kicked off the game with a 7-0 run, but Kyle Fogg’s timely layup ended Liaoning's scoring drought and sparked his team’s energy on both ends of the court. Despite Liaoning's tough defense, which made scoring challenging for Zhejiang, the first quarter ended closely at 20-18.
In the second quarter, Liaoning’s Dez Wells and James Webb combined for 17 points, extending their lead to 42-30. However, York’s efficient shooting (7-for-9 from the field) ensured that Zhejiang only trailed by two points, 49-47, at halftime.
The third quarter was tough for Zhejiang, scoring only five points in five minutes. Liaoning took advantage, but Zhejiang stayed resilient. The Flying Leopards entered the fourth quarter with an eight-point lead, 78-70.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Liaoning mounted a 6-0 run, but their poor shooting from beyond the arc proved costly. They missed 25 of their 34 three-point attempts, while Zhejiang successfully converted half of their own, allowing the Golden Bulls to pull away and secure the win.
The Liaoning Flying Leopards have struggled since late November, losing eight of their last 12 games against top-ranked teams in the league.
Reference(s):
Zhejiang beats CBA champion Liaoning on Gabe York's impressive evening
cgtn.com
