BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Ian Clark scored 34 points and dished out 13 assists while the Xinjiang Flying Tigers overcame the Liaoning Flying Leopards 114-111 in the 2019-2020 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Sunday night.
"When we were in a tough time, Clark stood out and contributed a terrific performance," Xinjiang's head coach Adijan praised.
Led by Han Dejun, Liaoning took a firm control with a 12-0 run to start the game, which forced Adijan to call a timeout.
Brandon Bass dominated inside and scored 13 points in the second to help Liaoning extend the lead to 19.
With Xinjiang's backcourt duo of Xiralijan Muhatar and Clark found their hot hands, the Flying Tigers responded a 12-0 run and cut a 19-point deficit to five going into the second half.
Xinjiang never surpassed Liaoning after the opening minutes, and Zhou Qi's two free throws regained control in the third.
Liaoning closed within 111-108 after Lance Stephenson's free throws, but couldn't catch up.
When Zhou Qi hit a dagger shot from the 3-point line with 31.5 seconds remaining, Xinjiang were never challenged again.
Zhou Qi and Xiralijan each got 20 points for Xinjiang, while Stephenson had a team-high 31 points.
In a road loss 107-95 to the Jilin Northeast Tigers, the Bayi Rockets' center Zou Yuchen returned to the lineup after recovering from an ACL rupture in left knee. Zhou had not played since 2017 and contributed four points and six rebounds in 16 minutes.
Darius Adams made two key free throws to help the Qingdao Eagles square off against the Fujian Sturgeons 112-110.
After Li Qiuping was reassigned as new position in the club, the miserable Shanghai Sharks snapped a six-game losing streak with a 113-106 victory over the Shenzhen Aviators.
Elsewhere, Sun Minghui and Hu Jinqiu combined for 50 points as the Zhejiang Lions beat the Beijing Royal Fighters 95-90 at home. The Zhejiang Golden Bulls swept the Tianjin Pioneers with 118-102 while the Beijing Ducks overcame Jiangsu with 86-79. The Sichuan Blue Whales won over the Guangzhou Loong Lions 111-107.
