Zhang Hanjun (R) of Shanxi Loongs controls the ball during a match between Bayi Rockets and Shanxi Loongs at the 2019-2020 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, July 8, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)
QINGDAO, China, July 8 (Xinhua) -- The Bayi Rockets beat the Shanxi Loongs 113-108 in overtime to grab only their fourth victory in the 2019-20 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season here on Wednesday.
Shanxi established a 4-0 lead through free throws at the beginning of the game, but Tian Yuxiang scored six in a row to helped Bayi turn the table. Thanks to three-pointers from Yuan Shuai and Xing Zhiqiang, Shanxi regained a 29-26 lead as the first quarter ended.
Both sides were neck and neck in the following quarter. Bayi established a six-point advantage in the first half, as Fu Hao contributed nine points in the second quarter.
Bayi extended their margin to 11 points in the early stages of the third quarter. Ren Junwei scored two three-pointers and helped Shanxi cut the deficit to five points before the last quarter.
At the buzzer, the scores were tied 96-96 and so began overtime, in which Zou Yucen scored a key two-pointer and a free throw to help secure Bayi's victory.
Yuan Shuai had a team-high 25 points for Shanxi, Ren Junwei pocketed 23 points and Liu Guancen finished with 14 points. Fu Hao scored a game-high 31 points for Bayi, Zou Yuchen collected 18 points and 15 rebounds, and Luo Kaiwen contributed 23 points.
Bayi is the only CBA team without overseas players on its roster, and now has two wins in the last three matches since the CBA resumed on June 20.
Ten other teams are currently playing without their overseas players, as current restrictions on international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic have meant that many overseas citizens are unable to travel to China.
