Jiang Yuxing (2nd L) of Jilin Northeast Tigers vies with Fan Ziming of Xinjiang Flying Tigers during a match at the 2019-2020 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, July 7, 2020. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)
QINGDAO, China, July 7 (Xinhua) -- With Fan Ziming's buzzer beater, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers edged the Jilin Northeast Tigers 106-105 here in the 2019-20 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season on Tuesday.
Although Jilin had an 8-0 spurt midway through the first quarter, Xinjiang responded with an 8-4 dash and led 26-23 before the first break.
Jilin's Jiang Yuxing then suffered an eye injury and was carried off the court on a stretcher. With blood dripping from his right eye, Jiang was sent to hospital as his team trailed 55-47 at the half-time break.
"A thorough examination showed his eyeball was intact, but his lower eyelid had a 3cm-long wound and needed ten stitches," said Jilin club doctor Wang Zuomu.
At the beginning of the second half, Zhou Qi's two consecutive layups helped his team take the upper hand. However, Sean Hill and Dai Huaibo of Jilin helped their team turn the game around and bring a slender two-point advantage into the final quarter.
The score seesawed before full-time. With 1:00 left on the clock, Jilin led 105-104 but missed three-pointer opportunities. Fan Ziming, whose earlier clash with Jiang Yuxing caused the latter's injury, sealed the victory for Xinjiang after Zhou - who pocketed 37 points and 18 rebounds in the game - had dragged multiple Jilin defenders out of position.
"We spared no effort in this game, but they hesitated too much in the last minute," rued Jilin coach Wang Han.
Discussing Jiang's injury, Wang added, "We all expect him to recover quickly, because the court is the players' biggest stage."
