Xinjiang have big 4th quarter, beat Shenzhen 102
Myles Powell (R) of Qingdao Eagles competes during the 43rd round match between Nanjing Monkey Kings and Qingdao Eagles at the 2023-2024 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Bo)
The Xinjiang Flying Tigers rode on a strong fourth quarter to defeat the Shenzhen Aviators 102-97, while the Zhejiang Golden Bulls sailed past the Shanxi Loongs 119-100 in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Thursday.
Playing on its home court, Shenzhen raced to a 28-25 lead as the first quarter ran out and extended it to 14 points midway through the third quarter. The hosts possessed a 78-69 advantage heading into the final period.
But Xinjiang bounced back strongly from there, outscoring Shenzhen 33-19 during the fourth quarter. Abdusalam Abdurexit made both free throws with 21 seconds remaining to secure Xinjiang's win.
Abdusalam notched a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Lindell Wigginton scored 23 points for Xinjiang.
Shenzhen forward Jared Sullinger had a game-high 25 points in a losing cause, with He Xining adding 21.
Elsewhere, a balanced Zhejiang side went ahead 39-28 in the opening quarter. The host team carried an eight-point lead into the fourth quarter and was never threatened afterward.
Seven Zhejiang players scored in double digits, with Yu Jiahao and Carlik Jones each nailing 17 points, while Shanxi saw Bennie Boatwright's 30-point performance in vain.
Also on Thursday, the Qingdao Eagles edged the Nanjing Monkey Kings 123-120, the Guangzhou Loong Lions outperformed the Jilin Northeast Tigers 115-100, and the Shanghai Sharks secured a comfortable 98-81 win against the Jiangsu Dragons.