In Game 1 of the best-of-five CBA semifinal series, the top-seeded Guangsha Lions delivered a statement 109-90 victory over three-time defending champions the Liaoning Flying Leopards in Hangzhou on the Chinese mainland.
Six Guangsha players scored in double figures, led by guard Barry Brown. Brown knocked down four three-pointers from 10 attempts and poured in a game-high 24 points while dishing six assists. Starting point guard Sun Minghui added 13 points before exiting in the third quarter with an ankle injury.
Despite the deficit, the Flying Leopards bench outscored their counterparts 52-31. Kyle Fogg led Liaoning’s reserves with 20 points, three assists and three steals, though it was not enough to swing the momentum.
The Lions set the tone early, hitting four more threes than Liaoning in the first quarter to take a 34-22 lead. Neither team connected from downtown in the second, but Guangsha stifled the Flying Leopards, limiting them to 15 points and extending the margin to 59-37 at halftime.
In a tighter third quarter, Liaoning trimmed the gap to 19 points at 84-65, fueled by Fogg and starter Dez Wells. However, Guangsha’s Zhu Junlong opened the fourth quarter with five straight points to push the lead back to 20. Brown’s fourth three-pointer midway through the period sealed the win as the Flying Leopards could not cut the deficit below 15.
Game 2 takes place on Monday in Hangzhou, with the Lions holding a 1-0 advantage in the series.
Reference(s):
Guangsha Lions overwhelm Liaoning Flying Leopards in CBA semifinals
cgtn.com
