The Liaoning Flying Leopards ended the Shanghai Sharks’ remarkable 16-game winning streak with a dramatic 117-114 victory on Tuesday night in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province.
The home team exploded out of the gates, with Kyle Fogg and Li Xiaoxu combining for three early three-pointers, igniting an 11-0 run that put Liaoning up 17-5 just five minutes into the first quarter. Despite efforts from Wang Zhelin and Eric Bledsoe to close the gap, the Sharks struggled with turnovers and trailed 35-25 at the end of the opening period.
In the second quarter, center Han Dejun made his presence felt for Liaoning, drawing fouls in the paint and helping extend the lead to 15 points. Shanghai’s Li Tianrong and Liu Cheng hit crucial shots from beyond the arc to keep the visitors within reach. Just before halftime, Bledsoe’s steal and buzzer-beating layup cut the deficit to seven points, leaving the score at 60-53.
Shanghai found their rhythm in the third quarter, with improved three-point shooting and better spacing allowing Bledsoe to penetrate the defense effectively. After Bledsoe assisted D.J. Wilson for a three-pointer, the Sharks briefly took the lead at 89-88. However, a jumper from Fogg restored Liaoning’s advantage, 90-89, heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter saw intense back-and-forth action. Bledsoe continued to drive Shanghai’s offense, but turnovers proved costly as Liaoning pulled ahead 101-96. Midway through the quarter, Bledsoe was ejected after receiving a technical foul for flopping, but Shanghai remained resilient with Li Hongquan’s clutch shooting. A three-point play by Wang Zhelin gave the Sharks a 114-112 lead with under two minutes remaining.
Fogg responded once again for Liaoning, sinking back-to-back jumpers to reclaim the lead 116-114. In a pivotal moment, Li Xiaoxu blocked Li Tianrong’s layup attempt, preserving the advantage. After Han Dejun split a pair of free throws, Shanghai had one last chance, but Li Hongquan’s desperate three-pointer missed at the buzzer, sealing Liaoning’s victory and snapping Shanghai’s impressive winning streak.
In another game of the night, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers defeated the Jiangsu Dragons 92-82 on the road. Xinjiang guard Zhao Rui returned from suspension to contribute 20 points, four rebounds, and four assists, helping the Flying Tigers avoid a third consecutive loss.
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Li Xiaoxu's block helps Liaoning end Shanghai's 16-game winning streak
cgtn.com
