Hamed Haddadi (R) of Sichuan Blue Whales shoots during the 30th round match between Fujian Sturgeons and Sichuan Blue Whales at the 2020-2021 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Zhuji, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 15, 2021. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
ZHUJI, China, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Having collected 39 points plus eight rebounds, Guard Marcus Hunt boosted the Sichuan Blue Whales past the Fujian Sturgeons 113-104 in the 30th round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) here on Friday.
Sichuan center Hamed Haddadi got 14 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. Li Yuanyu took 19 points and three rebounds.
For Fujian, Andrew Nicholson finished with a game-high 41 points and six rebounds but was unable to change the outcome. Shooter Huang Yichao got 20 points including 6 three pointers.
Sichuan made the first hit by Su Ruoyu's hook shot, followed by Fujian forward Chen Linjian's middle-distance jump shot, but the latter got a calf strain when he landed. Then the score seesawed, and Fujian lagged behind Sichuan 29-33 in the second quarter. Then Fujian made a 12-0 run led by Trae Golden's quick attack and Huang Yichao's three pointer, but Sichuan managed to stabilize the situation, leading Fujian 58-55 before the halftime break.
In the third quarter, Sichuan guard Hunt continued to hit three pointers, meaning their opponents were unable to find their rhythm, and Sichuan led 95-75 into the last period and secured the victory.
"We won the game as everyone worked tenaciously, but we didn't do well in dealing with Fujian's three pointers. We should hurry up to solve this problem as the league calendar is packed in the coming days," said Sichuan center Li Yuanyu. Enditem
