David James (top) of the Tianjin Pioneers attempts to shoot during a game of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) against the Guangdong Souther Tigers on Jan 30, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - The Guangdong Southern Tigers used a late rally to edge the Fujian Sturgeons 120-116, while the Beijing Royal Fighters dealt the Sichuan Blue Whales their 12th consecutive defeat 103-85 in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Wednesday.

With two sides tying at 116-116 going into the final minute, Guangdong center Zhou Qi made a basket and grabbed a defensive rebound, and Tremont Waters held firm to make both free throws for a four-point lead with 12.9 seconds remaining.

Zhou notched a double-double of 25 points and 22 rebounds. Hu Mingxuan had 26 points as six Guangdong players scored in double figures for a three-game winning streak.

Xu Jie and Huang Mingyi kickstarted the fourth quarter with consecutive shots from beyond the arc to move Guangdong ahead 98-97. In a nip-and-tuck quarter, Maker's three-point play and Zou Yang's layup put Fujian in front 112-105 with 4:07 remaining, while Maker fouled out with 2:36 to play and Hu's 3-pointer shortly afterward leveled the score at 113-113

"We were not fully prepared at the start, turning the ball over seven times in the first quarter. Then we overcame the difficulties and grasped the opportunities to win the game, and it was a good experience for us," commented Guangdong coach Du Feng.

With both Thon Maker and Eugene German on the court, Fujian could match Guangdong punch for punch in offense. The foreign duo combined for 36 points in the first quarter as the hosts raced to a 42-36 lead at the end of the quarter.

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With 3:01 left to play in the second quarter, Hu's jumper allowed Guangdong to turn the tide 61-60, its first lead since the first quarter, before Fujian responded with eight points in a row and opened up a 10-point halftime lead.

The matchup flared up with 5:06 remaining in the third quarter, when Hu and Fujian forward Li Jianghuai attempted to contend for position. Li was called for an unsportsmanlike foul, and Hu converted two ensuing free throws and made a layup as Guangdong leveled the score at 82-82. German took charge of the game afterward, scoring eight points on the bounce as Fujian possessed a 97-92 advantage heading into the final frame.

Xu Jie and Huang Mingyi kickstarted the fourth quarter with consecutive shots from beyond the arc to move Guangdong ahead 98-97. In a nip-and-tuck quarter, Maker's three-point play and Zou Yang's layup put Fujian in front 112-105 with 4:07 remaining, while Maker fouled out with 2:36 to play and Hu's 3-pointer shortly afterward leveled the score at 113-113.

Robert Golden of the Sichuan Blue Whales attempts to shoot during a game of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) against the Beijing Royal Fighters in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan province, on Jan 18, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The loss made German's game-high 37 points in vain. Maker had 24 points and 10 boards. Zou and Zeng Lingxuan scored 16 points apiece.

Beijing took the initiative by outscoring Sichuan 36-22 in the first quarter, and maintained its advantage en route to a comfortable victory.

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Six Beijing players scored in double figures, with Kay Felder leading the way with 21 points.

"It was a wire-to-wire victory for us, but we still had ups and downs down the stretch. We need to do better on protecting rebounds and some details in our defense," said Beijing coach Min Lulei.

On the bottom-ranked Sichuan side, both Venkatesha Jois and Jing Hanyi pocketed a double-double in points and rebounds, with Jois' 15-12 and Jing's 16-10 in the two categories.