The Liaoning Flying Leopards secured their second straight win after crushing the Fujian Sturgeons 116-76 in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on Wednesday.
The game was almost decided after Liaoning outscored the opponents 41-21 in the first quarter. Zhao Jiwei, Marial Shayok, and Jo Lual-Acuil continued to tear Fujian's defense apart like paper bags. The visitors sent former NBA guard Joseph Young to the court to improve their offense, but with little success.
Three minutes into the second quarter, Liaoning suddenly enhanced their defensive aggression and drove a 9-0 run. They led by as many as 30 points, 63-33, when there were five minutes left in this quarter. Though Young worked hard on the offensive end, Fujian still trailed by 25 points, 71-46, when the first half ended.
Both sides grew a bit loose defensively from the third quarter, but Liaoning managed to stay 30 points ahead constantly with better firepower. It didn't take long for garbage time to arrive, during which both teams sent in their young players.
Liaoning had six players reach double-digit points. Acuil achieved a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Both Shayok and Zhao delivered six assists each. Yan Shouqi contributed five steals by himself.
On Fujian's side, no Chinese player reached 10 points. Frank Mason scored 19 points and five assists. Baylee Steele had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Young got 12 points off the bench.
In the other two games on the day, the Zhejiang Golden Bulls beat the Jilin Northeast Tigers 121-113 on the road despite 46 points and 11 assists by Dominique Jones of the hosts. The Qingdao Eagles edged the Shanghai Sharks 101-97 after rejecting a 17-point comeback attempt by the home team.
Reference(s):
Liaoning Flying Leopards smash Fujian Sturgeons by 40 points
cgtn.com
