Guo Ailun(R) of Liaoning Flying Leopards competes during the quarterfinal match between Liaoning Flying Leopards and Zhejiang Golden Bulls at the 2019-2020 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 3, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)
QINGDAO, China, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Wu Qian's 48 points could not prevent the Zhejiang Golden Bulls losing 127-123 to the Liaoning Flying Leopards in the quarterfinals of the 2019-20 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) here on Monday.
With Wu scoring 12 points, Zhejiang came from behind and established a two-point lead in the first quarter.
Center Han Dejun and O.J. Mayo combined for 21 points in the following quarter, helping Liaoning cut the deficit from eight points to two again.
Both sides traded the lead several times in the third quarter, with Liaoning emerging with a slender one-point advantage.
Guo Ailun helped the Flying Leopards maintain the lead as he scored four points from two layups in the match's final moments. Han got another two points on the free-throw line to seal the victory for Liaoning.
Guo finished with 35 points and eight assists, Han got 30 points and 15 rebounds, Mayo contributed 29 points, and Zhao Jiwei added 16 points.
For Zhejiang, Wu's 48-point haul included nine three-pointers, while Cheng Shuaipeng collected 19 points, Zhu Xuhang notched 18 points, and Liu Zeyi had 14 points.
"If we had grabbed more rebounds, the result might be different. Many players were sad today, but this is an experience that the young guys must have in their career," said Liu Weiwei, coach of Zhejiang.
"Wu Qian did an excellent job tonight, and he is becoming the leader of the team," Liu added.
"We were concentrated on the game today. In the final moments, someone had to come out to take the responsibility. I was confident enough to shoot because of the cheers from fans," said Guo Ailun. Enditem
