The Xinjiang Flying Tigers soared to their first Group D victory in the inaugural CBA Club Cup, defeating the Beijing Ducks 85-79 in a thrilling showdown in Qingdao on Friday.
Returning from injury, Zhao Rui and Qi Lin played pivotal roles in reversing the game's momentum. After Xinjiang trailed in the first quarter, Zhao Rui's entry sparked a comeback, including crucial steals and strategic assists that shifted the balance in favor of the Flying Tigers.
Beijing Ducks, led by forward Zhang Cairen's impressive 24 points, struggled to maintain their lead as Xinjiang outscored them 19-11 in the second quarter. Despite Qi Lin scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter, Xinjiang's cohesive performance secured their win.
Xinjiang coach Liu Wei emphasized the importance of focused performance over the scoreboard, praising both teams for their excellent play. With this win, Xinjiang and Nanjing now stand at 1-1 in Group D, alongside the leading Beijing Ducks at 2-1. Upcoming matches will see Liaoning face Nanjing and Xinjiang take on Qingdao as the competition heats up.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com