The Xinjiang Flying Tigers emerged victorious against the Qingdao Eagles, securing a 95-86 win in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Club Cup game held in Qingdao, Shandong Province, on Saturday.
The match began with both teams exchanging leads throughout the first quarter, with Qingdao holding a slight advantage of 27-23 by the end of the period. Early in the second quarter, Xinjiang faced a setback as their starting guard, Zhao Rui, exited the game due to an ankle injury. Zhao’s departure raised concerns, especially since he has been recovering from previous injuries and has seen limited playtime since joining the team in 2023.
Despite the loss of Zhao Rui, the Flying Tigers soared. They outscored the Eagles 30-18 in the second quarter, taking a 53-48 lead into halftime. Their momentum continued into the third quarter, where a 12-0 run extended their lead to 16 points, ending the quarter at 80-64.
The Qingdao Eagles fought back fiercely in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on a scoring drought by Xinjiang to narrow the gap to 87-84. Just when the game seemed to be slipping away, the Flying Tigers found their rhythm again. A crucial 15-0 run, highlighted by a four-point play from Qin Lin and a three-point play by QJ Peterson, sealed the victory for Xinjiang.
With this win, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers demonstrated resilience and depth, overcoming the challenges posed by injuries and the Eagles’ relentless comeback efforts.
Reference(s):
Xinjiang Flying Tigers reject comeback efforts by Qingdao Eagles
cgtn.com
