GUANGZHOU, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Allerik Freeman scored a game-high 40 points as the Shenzhen Aviators trounced the Guangzhou Long Lions 120-97 in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) here on Tuesday.
Freeman scored 22 points in the second quarter alone to gift Shenzhen a 58-46 lead at half-time. The 26-year-old continued his momentum to add 13 points in the third quarter and help seal the victory for Shenzhen.
"We won the game with our defense; we had ten more rebounds and we shared the ball well." Shenzhen coach Wang Jianjun said after the game.
Shen Zijie had 17 points plus 16 rebounds for Shenzhen, while Andrew Nicolson had 37 points and 12 rebounds for Guangzhou.
"We were not at our best tonight, but I am satisfied with our team's fighting spirit." Guangzhou caretaker coach Ding Wei said.
Ding took charge of the match following the sacking of former coach Juan Antonio Orenga, who guided the team to just six wins and 23 losses. Orenga's permanent replacement will be former NBA coach Larry Drew. Enditem
