SHENYANG - Star man Zhou Qi returned from suspension as the Guangdong Southern Tigers prevailed over the Liaoning Flying Leopards 110-94, leveling the best-of-five Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league semifinals at 1-1 on Friday.

Zhou, who had been suspended two games for elbowing during the previous round against the Zhejiang Lions, contributed a double-double of 12 points and game-high 18 rebounds.

"Zhou is one of the best paint players in China, and he can help the team a lot on both ends of the floor," commented Guangdong coach Du Feng.

With Zhou's return to action, both sides showed their intensity in defense from the tip-off, and Guangdong unleashed a 9-0 run midway through the first quarter to gain its foothold en route to a 28-26 lead at the end of the quarter.

With Zhou's return to action, both sides showed their intensity in defense from the tip-off, and Guangdong unleashed a 9-0 run midway through the first quarter to gain its foothold en route to a 28-26 lead at the end of the quarter

Liaoning got into foul trouble in the second quarter, getting its fifth foul with only four minutes played, giving Guangdong many free throw opportunities while trying to attack the basket.

The game flared up with 7:34 to play. After Kyle Fogg was called for a technical foul, Zhao Jiwei and Jordan Bell tangled in front of the Liaoning bench, and both players were called for unsportsmanlike fouls.

ALSO READ: Xinjiang dominates Zhejiang in CBA semifinal game 1

Clarence Weems' jumper gifted Guangdong a double-figure advantage at 46-36 with 3:51 remaining. Zhang Zhenlin, who had shone with 34 points in Wednesday's Game 1, made his first field goal in the final seconds of the second quarter, and his 3-pointer helped Liaoning trim the deficit to nine points at halftime.

Just as Liaoning had done two days ago, Guangdong used a strong third quarter to pull away. Xu Jie and Zhang Haojia combined for five 3-pointers down the stretch as Guangdong extended their lead to 20 points with 5:38 remaining, while Eric Moreland sank a shot from beyond the arc at the buzzer to help Liaoning cut the deficit to 16 points heading into the final frame.

Hu Mingxuan scored Guangdong's first seven points in the last quarter, and Weems followed with consecutive baskets. Liaoning closed the gap to 13 points, but Zhang's layup and Hu's three-point play afterwards helped steady Guangdong on its way to a road win.

Five Guangdong players scored in double digits, with Xu and Hu pocketing 26 and 23 points respectively.

Zhao registered 20 points along with 10 assists as six Liaoning players reached double figures in points.

"Guangdong took control of the game today, and we showed what we suffered throughout the season - a lack of playmakers, thus giving too many opportunities for our opponents' fast breaks," admitted Liaoning coach Yang Ming.

READ MORE: Liaoning Leopards dominate Guangdong Tigers in CBA semifinals opener

The two sides will head to Guangdong for their Game 3 next Monday.