JINJIANG, China, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Five players scored 10-plus points as the Fujian Sturgeons edged the visiting Jilin Northeast Tigers 121-114 in the 19th round of Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) here on Friday, collecting four straight victories in a row.
The reigning league MVP Wang Zhelin contributed 28 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts after hitting 10 out of 13 attempts. Chen Linjian scored 26 points with four 3-pointers, while Pooh Jeter, who substituted Ty Lawson earlier on Friday, got 22 points and 15 assists in his season debut.
"It was a difficult task. We changed players because of Lawson's ligament injury. Jilin is a very good team this season. I am proud of my players as they played tough defense," said Fujian's head coach Aleksandar Kesar.
Dominique Jones notched a game-high 45 points, including 19 points in the final quarter, for the losing side. Eli Holman made a double-double of 19 pints and 13 rebounds.
The first half witnessed a seesaw battle between the two teams as the visitors led 24-23 in the opening quarter, before Fujian got the upper hand for a 47-41 advantage into the half break. Wang dominated the paint with 16 points and nine rebounds.
In the third quarter, the Jilin side executed a double-team defense over Wang and left more spaces for Fujian's shooters as the home team extended the lead to 89-77.
The visiting side then geared up to cut the deficit 116-114 as Jones scored 19 points in the fourth quarter.
With 18.2 seconds remaining, Chen hit a decisive 3-pointer for Fujian to lead 119-114. Later on, the Sturgeons forced a five-second violation in defense, sealing their fifth victories in six games under Kesar's leadership.
"We didn't shoot well in the first half. The second half we concentrated on the post and gave them too many chances from the 3-point line," noted the Jilin coach Wang Yuan.
Fujian will take on CBA powerhouses Liaoning Flying Leopards at home on Sunday, while Jilin will visit Zhejiang Lions in the next round.
