The Guangdong Southern Tigers pulled off a stunning comeback on Thursday, overcoming a 19-point deficit to defeat the Guangzhou Loong Lions 85-77 in a thrilling Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) matchup in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province.
In the first half, the Southern Tigers struggled to find their rhythm, managing only 29 points by halftime. The Loong Lions capitalized on their opponents’ slow start, with Tahjere McCall and Davion Warren leading the offensive charge. By exploiting a five-minute scoring drought from the Southern Tigers, the Loong Lions surged ahead, leading 48-29 at the break.
The game took a dramatic turn in the third quarter. The Southern Tigers roared back with a dominant 22-2 run, fueled by standout performances from Xu Jie, Zhang Haojia, and Troy Gillenwater. The trio combined for an impressive 43 points, propelling their team to a 62-59 lead by the end of the quarter.
The fourth quarter was a nail-biter. Despite Yuan Zhaoyao’s two consecutive three-pointers for the Loong Lions, the Southern Tigers held their ground. With the score at 77-76 in favor of the Loong Lions and just two minutes remaining, Xu Jie hit a clutch three-pointer to regain the lead. Solid defense and key free throws from Gillenwater and Huang Rongqi sealed the victory for the Southern Tigers.
This win marks the seventh consecutive victory for the Guangdong Southern Tigers, showcasing their resilience and determination in the CBA season.
