Zhejiang edges Beijing, Shanxi overtakes Shanghai in CBA

ZHUJI, China - The Zhejiang Lions got a difficult 109-104 win over the Beijing Ducks in the 11th round of the 2020-21 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league here on Thursday.

Sun Minghui had a game-high 33 points and 13 assists while Jonathan Gibson had 19 points.

With Gibson's three pointer, Beijing opened a lead over Zhejiang until Sun's lay-up helped Zhejiang tie it 15-15.

Beijing once led by 12 and finished the first half 52-48. Zhejiang turned the tide with 75-74 run in the third quarter with a Li Jinglong jump shot through an assist from Feng Xin.

The fourth quarter was tied 97-97 going into extra time. Zhejiang grabbed the chance and sealed the victory with Sun's two free throws.

"We played a solid game and we are going better day by day. In the first half we played as we wanted but we missed some details. We can do better in rebounds but for the current situation I have only to see progress of my players," said Beijing head coach Simone Pianigiani.

Elsewhere, Jamaal Franklin had 44 points, 14 rebounds and 18 assists to help the Shanxi Loongs edge the Shanghai Sharks 121-118.

The first quarter was closely-contested as Yuan Shuai and Jimmer Fredette's three-pointers tied the score 16-16. But later Yuan made all of the three free throws to help Shanxi establish a 33-27 advantage.

In the second quarter, Shanghai pocketed a 10-point streak, leaving no opportunities for Shanxi under the leadership of Marcus Denmon. Thanks to Liu Guanceng's unsportsmanlike foul, Shanghai enlarged the gap 65-57.

Shanghai's third quarter scoring relied too much on Fredette's three-pointers. However, his Shanxi counterpart Jamaal Franklin hit more three-pointers to help Shanxi cut the deficit to 97-94.

The turning point of the last quarter came when Franklin acted as the team core again by assisting Ren Junwei precisely, gifting him a three-pointer to seal the victory.

"This game marks the end of the first phase. We paid close attention to the game and did a full research on the opponent. I think the team members well carried out our plan," said Shanxi head coach Ding Wei.