Wang Zhelin (front L) of Fujian Sturgeons drives the ball during the 7th round match between Shanxi Loongs and Fujian Sturgeons at the 2020-2021 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Zhuji, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 31, 2020. (Xinhua/Sadat)
ZHUJI, China, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Shanxi Loongs defeated the Fujian Sturgeons 102-85 in the 2020-21 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season on Saturday.
Five Shanxi players scored double digits. Jamaal Franklin had a game-high 18 points and seven assists. Yan Pengfei snatched 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, with Xing Zhiqiang adding 15 points from the substitute bench.
For Fujian, national team center Wang Zhelin got 15 points and 13 rebounds. Forward Chen Linjian scored 17 points, four rebounds and three assists.
On the back of Franklin's nine points and four assists in the second quarter, Shanxi took a 49-34 lead into half time.
In the third quarter, Shanxi expanded the advantage to 20 points with Xing's three-pointer. Fujian tried to fight back in the last quarter with 32-26, but Shanxi held the lead with three-pointers and free throws.
Shanxi Loongs grabbed 49 rebounds, including 20 offensive rebounds for the victory, while Fujian Sturgeons suffered their sixth straight loss.
"To my relief, we had better rebounds tonight, which helped us drive the offense. We need to be more concentrated for better results in the future," said Shanxi coach Ding Wei.
"We didn't do a good job in defense, while they took too many offensive rebounds and second chance opportunities. We have a tough road ahead of us, " said Fujian coach Nenad Vucinic. Enditem
